Preferences of PLHIV on ART services:Qualitative evidence from the three ecological zones of Ghana

Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is one of the interventions currently in place to prolong the progression from HIV to AIDS for PLHIV. However, since the introduction of ART in Ghana in 2003, there has been scanty research on the preferences of PLHIV in accessing ART services. The main objective of the study therefore was to examine the preferences of PLHIV on ART services in terms of media, facility, service provider, time and cost of services. Through the purposive sampling procedure, a total of 145 FGDs and 171 IDIs were conducted among PLHIV, migrant workers, female sex workers, men having sex with men in 12 cities/towns selected from the three ecological zones of Ghana. The results show that the most preferred place for treatment was facility-based because it reduces stigmatization. Females were more sensitive to stigmatization than males and thus preferred a ‘foreigner’ to attend to them while males were indifferent. The radio and television were the most preferred media for education on ART but the information should be given by trained PLHIV as resource persons. ART services should be provided free of charge. Knowledge on the preferences of PLHIV on ART could inform policies and programmes on ART service delivery in the country.