Barriers to Access to Antiretroviral Treatment in Babati, Tanzania

Sub-Saharan Africa is the region in the world most severely affected by HIV, and Tanzania is among the most severely affected countries in the region. The introduction of antiretroviral treatment has offered hope to people living with HIV/AIDS, improving their quality of life significantly. Still, there are individuals living with HIV who either lack access to ART, or choose not to make use of the available treatments. The purpose of this thesis is to identify underlying factors perceived as barriers for HIV- positive individuals to initiate and maintain Antiretroviral treatment in Babati District, Tanzania. Twenty semi-structured interviews were carried out between the 15th of February and 6th of March 2016. The interviews were conducted with ART-patients, health workers and members of the community. An analysis was made within a theoretical framework based upon Goffman's notion of stigma and the Initial Behavioral Model by Andersen. The following obstacles to access to ART were indicated by the findings: HIV/AIDS related stigma issues, discrimination, economic barriers, ignorance due to lack of education, counseling on HIV treatment, and beliefs that HIV can be cured by traditional healers.