Universal access to HIV care: pitfalls and the way forward

摘要

In the July issue of TMIH, Posse et al. (2008) reviewed barriers to access to HIV treatment. The most frequently cited barriers are lack of information about and perceived high cost of antiretroviral treatment (ART); stigma; nonavailability of treatment over a long period of time; lack of coordination across services; and long distances from home to hospital. To overcome these barriers, they suggest enhanced dissemination of information about HIV/AIDS and related care; fee wavers; health insurance; integrating services within the health system; and assurance of ART stock availability. Their review reveals the limited amount of research on barriers to ART delivery.