Barriers to initiation of antiretroviral treatment in rural and urban areas of Zambia: a cross-sectional study of cost stigma and perceptions about ART

摘要

BackgroundWhile the number of HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in resource-limited settings has increased dramatically, some patients eligible for treatment do not initiate ART even when it is available to them. Understanding why patients opt out of care, or are unable to opt in, is important to achieving the goal of universal access.