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Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

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01-12-2020 | Care | Research article

Health care professionals’ perspectives on barriers to treatment seeking for formal health services among orphan children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS and mental distress in a rural district in central, Uganda

Authors: James Mugisha, Eugene Kinyanda, Joseph Osafo, Winfred Nalukenge, Birthe Loa Knizek

Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Little/no research has been conducted in Uganda in particular and sub-Saharan Africa in general on the health professional’s perspectives on barriers to treatment seeking for formal health services among orphan children and adolescents with a double burden of HIV/AIDS and mental distress.

Aim

To explore health professionals’ perspectives on barriers to treatment seeking for formal health services among orphan children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS and mental distress in Masaka, Uganda.

Method

Qualitative research design using key informant interviews with health service managers and staff in agencies working with children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS in Masaka district, Uganda.

Results

Barriers to treatment seeking reported by health care professionals were quite enormous and are summarized under: family, individual, community and health systems level barriers. The crosscutting finding here is that the societal informal and formal systems of care had been affected by the HIV/AIDs epidemic, and, mental distress aggravates this challenge for the individuals afflicted and families affected by mental distress.

Conclusion

Children and adolescents with both HIV/AIDS and mental distress are vulnerable due to constraints at family, community and health systems levels. Effective public health interventions to address the double burden of HIV/AIDS and mental distress will be vital in the study communities addressing the constraints at family, community and institutional level. Public health interventions should aim at increased access and effective utilization of services for both HIV/AIDS and mental health services. Stigma reduction strategies at individual, family and community levels are also recommended.

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Title: Health care professionals’ perspectives on barriers to treatment seeking for formal health services among orphan children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS and mental distress in a rural district in central, Uganda
Authors: James Mugisha
Eugene Kinyanda
Joseph Osafo
Winfred Nalukenge
Birthe Loa Knizek
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Care
Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
Published in: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1753-2000
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-020-00332-8

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Health care professionals’ perspectives on barriers to treatment seeking for formal health services among orphan children and adolescents with HIV/AIDS and mental distress in a rural district in central, Uganda

Abstract

Background

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Aim

Method

Results

Conclusion

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