Table 3 Positive changes from the AHD program

Availability of additional AHD services

We can now provide our patients with better services; we can track everything and not miss any condition in a patient. (Female HCW, Spoke, Clinician (MA/CO/MD, 28)

So, AHD as a program is good because patients can get assistance not only for HIV but also for other conditions which, at first, they were ignoring but with the coming of this AHD program, everyone is screened to discover if s/he is developing some conditions that can be treated before they reach the climax. (Female LC, Spoke, ART Clerk, 41).

Yes, in the past, we would spend less time with our patients because we were not doing all the screening that we are doing now, but now all the patients are being screened for other diseases once found HIV positive. (Female HCW, Spoke, Nurse Midwife Tech, 40).

Increased training to identify AHD patients and for follow-up

We have the ability. Firstly, we use all the methods that we learned from the training, such that when a person defaulted from taking their drugs when we follow up on him, or she and s/he have returned to care, especially if s/he is at an advanced stage of HIV, and s/he has gone beyond WHO stages precisely when s/he is on either stage 3 or stage 4. We have the ability because when we are chatting with the patient, we notice such conditions that this patient has reached the advanced stage of HIV disease. So, after that, there is that chance that we test for CD4 count and then go further to other tests. (Male HCW, Spoke, Nurse Tech, 46)

The training opened up some important topics we previously did not know, but since we attended the training, we have been able to help out AHD patients by referring them to the right doctor for the proper treatment. (Female LC, Hub, HDA, 27).

Increased mentoring and support in providing AHD services

We have mentors who train us to care for people and our friends from EGPAF; sometimes, they orient us and have collaborative meetings. Friendly, we learn what our friends are doing so that we can assist AHD patients. (Female HCW, Hub, Reg nurse, 32).

Yes, we received the mentorship, and when we experience problems, we can ask to say we do not understand here; how will we do this? Moreover, sometimes, you need help understanding the screening process, and we still ask them.

(Female HCW, Spoke, Nurse Midwife Tech, 30).