Predictors of late presentation for HIV care among adults at AIDS Healthcare Foundation clinic in Matsapha, Manzini Region, Eswatini

Background: There are growing concerns about patients presenting late for HIV care and this striking issue has become a central issue in the healthcare sector. Globally, much research in recent years has focused on determining the reasons why patients present late for HIV care in healthcare facilities. Identifying healthcare predictors surrounding late presenters is crucial to improving the patients‟ health outcome, to direct healthcare workers‟ treatment plan and to inform policy maker‟s decision making about emerging healthcare issues.
Aim of the study: To establish the predictors of late presentation for care by HIV populations at AHF Matsapha clinic, Manzini Region, Eswatini. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional research study selected 60 patients by probability, systematic sampling technique. Included, were those diagnosed HIV positive but not yet enrolled into care. Data was collected using a structured interview schedule. Study approval was sought from University of Zambia Biomedical Research Ethics Committee, National Health Research Authority and Eswatini Health and Human Research Review Board. SPSS version 27.0 was used to analyse data where descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and regression analysis were computed. A p-value of <0.05 was taken to declare the presence of a statistical significance.
Results: Data were obtained from sample of 60 respondents. The age of respondents ranged from 18 – 62 years. The mean age was 35.1 years. More than half (55%) of the respondents were males, 50% had attained secondary/high school level of education and 53.3% were currently in a relationship. The prevalence of Late Presentation for HIV care was 76.7 %. In Chi – square test, age and employment was statistically associated with late presentation for HIV care. In regression analysis, healthcare practices were statistically associated with late presentation to HIV care (p = 0.007).
Conclusion: The prevalence of late presentation to HIV care in Eswatini is high. Intervention measures to eradicate this high prevalence need to be implemented. In order to improve care and levels of good healthcare outcomes, the public health sector, clinic nurses should focus on understanding the predictors of late presentation for HIV care in order to lessen the burden of late presentation consequences on the patient, community and the healthcare system.