HIV Private Care Services in Nigeria Expose Constraints on Healthcare Systems during the Pandemic

Abstract

Access to and satisfaction with healthcare services impacts overall quality of life. This paper presents data on sexual identity, gender identity, HIV status, disability status and access points for services as determinants for ease of access to and satisfaction with HIV prevention and ancillary care services in Nigeria. This cross-sectional study collected data between February 7th and 19th 2021 using an online platform. Study participants were 13-years+ and were recruited from nine states. Data were collected on ease of access to HIV prevention ancillary care, and satisfaction with HIV prevention services and ancillary care. Four multivariate regression analyses were conducted to determine associations between the dependent and independent variables after adjusting for confounders. Of 1995 participants, 1600 (80.2%) reported easy access to HIV prevention services and 1468 (73.6%) experienced easy access to ancillary care services. In addition, 1672 (83.8%) reported feeling satisfied with the HIV prevention services they had received and 1561 (78.2%) were satisfied with ancillary care services. People living with disability had significantly lower odds of accessing HIV prevention services with ease (AOR:0.56). Participants who utilized private healthcare facilities were more likely to report easy access to HIV prevention (AOR:1.58) and ancillary (AOR:1.37) care services, as well as satisfaction with HIV prevention (AOR:1.37) and ancillary (AOR:1.38) care. This study provides evidence that improved access to and satisfaction with HIV prevention and ancillary care services provided by private health institutions in Nigeria may reflect the environmental constraints associated with poor healthcare systems governance.