Abstract

Long acting antiretroviral therapy (LA ART) is very important in achieving optimal treatment outcomes. Daily oral ART can help people living with HIV (PLHIV) to achieve and maintain life-long viral suppression, but requires consistent adherence over a lifetime. Long-acting injectable (LAI) ART could address some of the challenges of taking a daily oral regimen and to improve treatment outcomes for PLHIV. This study assessed the acceptability and preferences for long-acting antiretroviral therapy (LAART) among people with HIV infection (PWH) and Healthcare providers in two regions of Cameroon.

This was a mixed-methods study that included a Quantitative (cross-sectional) design and Qualitative (in-depth interviews), conducted in Bamenda and Limbe Regional Hospitals of North West and South West Regions respectively. The cross-sectional design constitutes the administrative of pre-tested questionnaires to PLHIV accessing ART in the HIV clinics. In-depth interviews were administered to the HIV care providers providing direct patient care at the HIV clinic and those providing technical support at the regional level. The questionnaires and IDI were administered by trained research assistants. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).

The study included 405 PLHIV who took part in this study. The mean age of the participants was 42 ± 9 years and 246(60.7%) were females. 324(80%) indicated willingness to use the LAART formulation. For the preference to different LAART formulations 319 (79%) in PLHIV preferred injectable. Most (88.4%) of the patients had no prior knowledge of LAART and 93.3% thought it could increase their ART adherence. About 70% of the patients indicated willingness to pay for LAARTs. Males, those with higher income and educational level were more likely to pay for LAART. Majority of the health professionals had heard about LAART but none of them reported ever seeing it before. There was popular opinion regarding the advantages of LA ART in terms of improving adherence and reducing pills burden on the patients. Some concerns included potential side effects and reduction in patient clinic visits which could adversely impact their quality of follow-up.

This study revealed an overwhelming acceptance of long-acting ART amongst patents on ART in the study clinics and a general positive attitude amongst the care professionals. More research is needed to access the feasibility of long-acting ART in Cameroon, while giving preference to the injectable formulation.

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