Willingness of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome to pay for treatment and preventive services in human immunodeficiency virus care centers in Osogbo, Osun State

Abstract

Background: The global financial meltdown has led to donor countries and agencies cutting down on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) funding and support to developing countries such as Nigeria, leading to a dire need to circumvent acute funds shortage. Objectives: To assess the willingness to pay (WTP) for HIV treatment and preventive services among people living with HIV (PLHIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Osogbo, Southwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 300 PLHIV attending HIV treatment and care centers selected using the multistage sampling method. Research instruments used were semi-structured interviewer-administered pretested questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 23.0. Results: The mean age of respondents was 36.9 ± 11.6 years, with 57.0% of the respondents having good knowledge of the sources of funding of HIV services. Only 153 (51.0%) were willing to pay for HIV treatment and care services, of which 123 (80.3%) were only willing to pay voluntarily and 10 (6.5%) willing to pay only if pushed. On binary logistic regression, predictors of WTP for HIV services include age above 40 years and being in a polygamous marriage. Conclusion: Only about half of PLHIV showing WTP underscore the need for stakeholders in HIV care to enlighten clients on the challenges facing HIV funding toward encouraging them to pay for some if not all services received.

Keywords

• funding
• human immunodeficiency virus services
• nigeria
• people living with human immunodeficiency virus
• willingness to pay