Providers’ perspectives in health services for people living with asymptomatic HIV/AIDS

Abstract

People living with asymptomatic HIV/AIDS (PWHA) hardly access to receive coverage for treatment and promoting health. Additionally, there are no specific health care services or long term care for persons with asymptomatic HIV to maintain their optimum health and prevent progression of AIDS symptoms. This qualitative study explored health care workers’ perceptions of the state of health care services for asymptomatic HIV/AIDS in Thailand. Structural and organizational issues are explored in terms of perspective of health care providers in health care services how they impact the delivery and provision of health care to asymptomatic PWHA. Three focus group discussions were conducted with health care providers and stakeholders. Data were analyzed thematically. Results showed that there were two themes which healthcare providers reflected that staffs who have direct care or provide health services, were most likely having work overload and they were not specialized in HIV/AIDS care. The accessibility in health care services was also limited for PWHA in Thailand. Moreover, healthcare system should further improved the standard of HIV care services for PWHA, promote educational training, and provide the up-to-date, competent care or alternative medicine for healthcare providers.