Abstract:
Background: The rapid expansion of Anti-retroviral Therapy (ART) services due to test and treat strategy has resulted in increased patient flow in HIV clinics thereby overburdened the available limited health care providers. Moreover, the “one size fits for all” approach is no more recommended in providing ART services. The study attempts to generate evidence on the appointment spacing model implementation in selected sites of Bishoftu town in Ethiopia.
Objective: To explore how appointment spacing is being implemented and assess the experience of patients; health care workers and program managers’ perspective on appointment spacing model
Methods: A qualitative method using case study design was employed to how ASM is implemented and the experience of Health Care Workers and ART. Purposive sampling used used to select the study sites and criterion sampling is used to select study participants.
Results: ART clients enrolled on ASM have benefited by reduced cost of transportations, reduced time spent to get services; reduced absence from work and also reduced fear of being seen at the facilities. Reduced workload, decongestion of the facility are benefits to the providers. Intermittent supply of drugs; concerns on keeping too much number of pills at home and also fear of being seen are the challenges and disadvantages observed.
Conclusion: ASM benefits clients, HCWs and facilities. Documentation and reporting of the model can be improved by documenting and analyzing viral load, adherence and lost to follow up data for clients on ASM versus others.
......................................... Thesis available at ACIPH Library