Barriers to access to antiretroviral treatment in developing countries: a review.

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Title:	Barriers to access to antiretroviral treatment in developing countries: a review.
Author(s):	Posse, M.E. ; Meheus, F.; Asten, H.A.G.H. van ; Ven, A.J.A.M. van der ; Baltussen, R.M.P.M.
Publication year:	2008
Source:	Tropical Medicine & International Health, vol. 13, iss. 7, (2008), pp. 904-913
ISSN:	1360-2276
DOI:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02091.x
Publication type:	Article / Letter to editor
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item : http://hdl.handle.net/2066/70058
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Subject:	EBP 3: Effective Primary Care and Public Health N4i 1: Pathogenesis and modulation of inflammation N4i 3: Poverty-related infectious diseases NCEBP 13: Infectious diseases and international health NCEBP 7: Effective primary care and public health NCMLS 1: Infection and autoimmunity UMCN 4.1: Microbial pathogenesis and host defense
Organization:	Primary and Community Care Internal Medicine
Journal title:	Tropical Medicine & International Health
Volume:	vol. 13
Issue:	iss. 7
Page start:	p. 904
Page end:	p. 913
Abstract:	OBJECTIVE: To present a review of barriers impeding people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries from accessing treatment, and to make recommendations for further studies. METHODS: Electronic databases, websites of main global agencies and international AIDS conferences were searched for relevant articles published between 1996 and 2007. Articles were reviewed using the Andersen and May framework of access to health services and barriers were categorized as either population-level or health system-level barriers. RESULTS: A total of 19 studies (7 articles and 12 abstracts) in English were reviewed. The barriers most frequently cited at the population level were lack of information about antiretroviral therapy (ART), perceived high costs for ART and stigma. Barriers most frequently cited at the health system level were long distance from home to the health facility, lack of co-ordination across services and limited involvement of the community in the programme planning process. CONCLUSIONS: Dissemination of information about HIV/AIDS and alternative related care, and alternative health financing policies seem to be the most relevant policy measures to remove barriers. In view of the paucity of evidence on barriers to access to ART, research should address the relative importance of barriers, include a mix of qualitative and quantitative research methods and evaluate barriers in different settings.