Exploring the determinants of health service utilization among people living with HIV: a qualitative study in Iran

Background Health service utilization among people living with HIV is vital for their survival and quality of life. This study aims to exploring the determinants influencing health service utilization among people living with HIV. Methods We conducted a qualitative study involving 16 men and women a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC health services research 2023-12, Vol.23 (1), p.1-1351, Article 1351
Main Authors: SoleimanvandiAzar, Neda, Karimi, Salah Eddin, Ahmadi, Sina, Irandoost, Seyed Fahim, Amirkafi, Ali, Azimi, Amir
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome
AIDS
Analysis
Care and treatment
Codes
Counseling services
Data analysis
Data collection
Health
Health care policy
Health services
Health services utilization
HIV
HIV (Viruses)
HIV patients
Human immunodeficiency virus
Interviews
Iran
Medical care
Medical research
Pandemics
Qualitative research
Qualitative study
Service utilization
Social aspects
Stigma
Utilization
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Summary:Background Health service utilization among people living with HIV is vital for their survival and quality of life. This study aims to exploring the determinants influencing health service utilization among people living with HIV. Methods We conducted a qualitative study involving 16 men and women aged 18-64 living with HIV in Tehran. Data were collected between September and December 2021 through semi-structured interviews conducted via telephone and online platforms, utilizing the purposeful sampling method. Data were analyzed by MAXQDA-2018 software using conventional content analysis approaches and the Granheim and Landman method. Results Two main themes, seven categories, and 21 subcategories were obtained from the interviews. The main themes included facilitators of health service utilization (positive personality traits, social factors, and structural-behavioral determinants) and inhibitors of health service utilization (personal conditions, insufficient knowledge and understanding of the disease, negative consequences of disease disclosure, and difficult access to services). Conclusion This study underscores the need to invest and expand specialized services for people living with HIV by policy makers, while simultaneously increasing public awareness to reduce the social stigma. Keywords: Service utilization, HIV, AIDS, Health, Qualitative study, Iran
ISSN:1472-6963
1472-6963
DOI:10.1186/s12913-023-10321-0