Description:
The study principally intended to assess the role of peer educators in defaulter tracing and retention of people living with HIV/AIDS at Bunazi Health Centre in Missenyi District. The study was motivated by defaulting trend of PLWHA already on ART. The general objective was to assess the performance of peer educators, government and partners in defaulter tracing and retention of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) at Bunazi Health Centre. The specific objectives were; to establish the extent at which PLWHA lost to follow up ,to examine likely factors that cause PLWHA to default from their appointment dates ,to identify the ways used by peer educators, government and partners in tracing defaulters and emphasizing the use of ARVs and adherence to prescriptions and hence retention of PLWHA, to compare the trend of defaulters before and after introduction of peer educators program and to explore staff , community perception and support to PLWHA The study employed descriptive design, purposive and stratified sampling technique was applied to get representatives sample of respondents were involved in the study. Data were collected through interviews, questionnaire, observation and documentary review. Data was managed at highly standardized procedures to ensure quality results. Coding, recoding, cleaning, processing and finally analysis and outputting of the results were conducted depending on the available software standards. SPSS statistical programme was used for data entry and analysis of quantitative data. The qualitative data was presented according to the findings in logical and sequential way so that conclusion can be drawn from them. The data was presented according to research question and research objectives, tables are used to present data. The study showed that at Bunazi health centre PE reduces the rate of defaulting from 6.1% in 2011 to 4.5% 2014.The recommendations capitalize on the sustainability of peer educators’ programme and close follow up of PLWHA at the community level in collaboration with VHW and HBC providers.