Housing, psychosocial and adherence counseling among HIV+ persons in Ghana

As part of providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS services, the Ghana National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and Ministry of Health recommend that Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) receive psychosocial support and follow-up visits that ensure medical and drug adherence assistance. The successful implementation of these support services requires patients to have stable and quality housing, yet studies that examine associations between housing, psychosocial support, and adherence counseling among PLWHAs in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Data were collected from 605 PLWHAs attending check-up and receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) from both Atua Government Hospital and St. Martin’s de Porres Hospital, located in the Manya Krobo district. Results show significant relationships between housing and access to psychosocial counseling and support. Specifically, respondents with stable homes and quality housing were significantly more likely to receive psychosocial counseling and support, compared to those without stable and quality housing. It is important for policy makers to consider housing as an important element of psychosocial counseling and care.

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