Strategies for strengthening the health-seeking behaviour of men living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the North-West Province Province

Abstract

The global human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic continues to be a major public health concern. Despite advancements in HIV treatment, men living with HIV continue to delay seeking health care, posing a major challenge to controlling the epidemic. The purpose of this study was to develop strategies to strengthen the health-seeking behaviour of men living with HIV in the North West Province of South Africa. A qualitative design with a descriptive phenomenology approach was followed. In phase one, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with men enrolled in an antiretroviral treatment (ART) programme in a wellness clinic at a district hospital in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District of the North West Province. Interviews were also conducted with professional nurses, community counsellors, doctors and social workers providing health care services to men enrolled in the ART programme at the wellness clinic. Data were analysed using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological data analysis method. In phase two, strategies were developed based on phase one’s findings and verified through expert reviews to ensure the strategies’ feasibility, applicability, and sustainability in real-world contexts. The findings highlighted significant barriers to healthcare access for men living with HIV, emphasising the need for services that provide an enabling environment with privacy and empowerment. The inadequacies in counselling services and lack of systems to monitor the effectiveness of the existing strategies were identified as critical challenges to improve health-seeking behaviour and retain men in care. The study’s recommendations underscore the need for a multi-layered approach that includes raising awareness, delivering targeted education, and creating a supportive environment that challenges traditional notions of masculinity. Tailored healthcare services to meet men’s specific needs while ensuring their privacy and responsiveness are necessary. The recommended interventions focus on improving counselling quality, addressing logistical and systemic barriers, and enhancing engagement through targeted, culturally sensitive education programmes. Scaling up successful strategies and adapting to new challenges remain essential for sustaining progress. The study concludes by stressing the importance of involving men in their own care, fostering community engagement and collaborating with relevant stakeholders. These efforts are expected to achieve meaningful and lasting improvements in men living with HIV’s health outcomes.