Increasing Access to Care and Treatment through Community Support for HIV Infected People in Resource-Limited Setting of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Background: Knowledge about HIV/AIDS and importance of knowing ones status has increased even among rural dwellers in the northern Nigeria. However, access to laboratory test, ART and drugs for opportunistic infections remains a major challenge for the people.
Methodology: In 2008, USAID through Management Sciences for Health (MSH) supported HIV/AIDS programs in five local communities. MSH provided mobile HTC and referred positive clients to the nearest hospital. Most of them did not visit hospital for further tests and ART commencement. They complained of transport fair which was about #1,000 ($7)-85km. Advocacy visits were paid to the local authorities.
Findings: The intervention increased access to lab tests and ART uptake. The support covered January-December 2009 & 2011. The local government supported (35%) 116 patients out of the 332 eligible in 2009 and 72 out of about 220 in 2011 that live on $1 or less daily. In all, the LACA paid about #118,000 ($826) as support for 118 patients during the period. At the end of 2009 and 2011, (86%) and (56%) percent of patients enrolled who secured support were still assessing care.
Recommendations: Community leaders’ inclusion in HIV/AIDS program and referral networking using existing community structures could further reduce stigmatization and loss-to-follow up.