Abstract:

Background: Africa has been facing with the issue of how to provide adequate medical care expected millions of PLWHIV. Some studies has suggested that many death among PLWHIV are due to OIs. Prophylactic measure to OIs and nutritional supplementation has been of great help in some ways in reducing mortality and morbidity due to HIV/AIDS.

Study objective: to assess the availability and accessibility of drugs for OIs and supportive therapy in CTC centers in Nyamagana district, Mwanza.
Study participants: this study involved all patients receiving services in the selected CTC excluding those who visited for the first time, under 18 years and those who did not consent to participate.

Methodology: cross sectional study was used. Eligible consented participants were enrolled in the study by systematic random sampling and data obtained through pre constructed semi structured questionnaire and data collection tools (bin card).

Results: among 181 participants 49(27.07%) were male and 132(72.93%) were female.129 (71.27%) had OIs and about 123(95.35%) were given drug for treatment with 87(70.73%) obtained all the drug from CTC pharmacy. 176(97.23%) participants had received at least one of the drug for prophylaxis where 165(93.75%) obtained the from CTC. More than a half of the participants had shown to receive non of the nutrition supplement and this account for 97(53.59%).

Conclusion and recommendation: the accessibility of drug was poor with 29.27% PLWHIV who lack access to drug for treating OIs, 53.60% who lack nutritional supplements and only 2.76% who lack access to any of the prophylactic drug which signify good accessibility of drugs for prophylaxis. The challenges which lead to stock out should be addressed so as to improve life and reduce morbidity and mortality in PLWHIV.