Abhilash Sood, Seema Rani, SR Mazta, Ashok Sharma, AK Bhardwaj, SK Raina1,Godhavari Verma
Background: HIV/AIDS infection is one of the most important public health problems in India. Although the state of Himachal Pradesh falls in the low prevalence zone, the needs and satisfaction levels of patients is of immense importance in planning health care services for them. Qualitative research methods like focus group discussions provide real life views of the patients in this regard. Objective: To understand the patient perspectives of health care along with the satisfaction to services among the adult HIV/AIDS patients. Methodology: A study was carried out among the adult HIV-positive patients who were on ART at IGMC Shimla from November 2008 through May 2009. Focus Group Discussions were conducted to collect data. A total of 11 FGDs were conducted in which 104 patients took part. Results: Although the patients were generally satisfied to the services being provided, financial security, cross referrals to other departments, accessibility of the ART Centre, waiting space and infrastructure at the ART Centre were the key issues of dissatisfaction identified.
