"I only seek treatment when I am ill": experiences of hypertension and diabetes care among adults living with HIV in urban Tanzania.

Background: For adults living with HIV (ALHIV) and comorbidities, access to comprehensive healthcare services is crucial to achieving optimal health outcomes. This study aims to describe lived experiences, challenges, and coping strategies for accessing care for hypertension and/or diabetes (HTN/DM) in HIV care and treatment clinics (CTCs) and other healthcare settings.

Methodology: We conducted a qualitative study that employed a phenomenological approach between January and April 2022 using a semi-structured interview guide in six HIV CTCs in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We purposively recruited 33 ALHIV with HTN (n = 16), DM (n = 10), and both (n = 7). Thematic content analysis was guided by the 5As framework of access to care.

Findings: The majority of the participants were females, between the ages of 54-73, and were recruited from regional referral hospitals. HIV CTCs at regional referral hospitals had more consistent provision of HTN screening services compared to those from district hospitals and health centers. Participants sought HTN/DM care at non-CTC health facilities due to the limited availability of such services at HIV CTCs. However, healthcare delivery for these conditions was perceived as unaccommodating and poorly coordinated. The need to attend multiple clinic appointments for the management of HTN/DM in addition to HIV care was perceived as frustrating, time-consuming, and financially burdensome. High costs of care and transportation, limited understanding of comorbidities, and the perceived complexity of HTN/DM care contributed to HTN/DM treatment discontinuity. As a means of coping, participants frequently monitored their own HTN/DM symptoms at home and utilized community pharmacies and dispensaries near their residences to check blood pressure and sugar levels and obtain medications. Participants expressed a preference for non-pharmaceutical approaches to comorbidity management such as lifestyle modification (preferred by young participants) and herbal therapies (preferred by older participants) because of concerns about side effects and perceived ineffectiveness of HTN/DM medications. Participants also preferred integrated care and focused patient education on multimorbidity management at HIV CTCs.

Conclusion: Our findings highlight significant barriers to accessing HTN/DM care among ALHIV, mostly related to affordability, availability, and accessibility. Integration of NCD care into HIV CTCs, could greatly improve ALHIV health access and outcomes and align with patient preference.