Access to HIV Test and Treat Services in Crisis-Affected Areas: A Community-Based Study in the Fontem Health District, Cameroon (2016–2024)
1
Public Health and Hygiene, University of Buea, Cameroon, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A628
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The ongoing armed conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon has disrupted health service delivery in affected communities, particularly for infectious diseases such as HIV. The Fontem Health District has been negatively impacted by the crisis, facing structural and security barriers that threaten progress towards the UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets. This study assessed access to HIV Test and Treat strategies in the Fontem Health District in Cameroon.
METHODS:
Routine facility data spanning 2016 – 2024 were reviewed to assess trends in service access alongside a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted between April–May 2025. Data collected from hospital records using a data extraction form was used to assess the trend in HIV service utilization, whereas a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 170 community members and 86 people living with HIV to assess their knowledge of Test and Treat strategy, service utilization, and perceived barriers during crisis context.
RESULTS:
Access to HIV services declined during peak conflict years, with partial recovery observed after 2022. HIV testing uptake stagnated between 2016 to 2024, while ART initiation declined significantly (p = 0.006). Adequate knowledge of HIV Test and Treat services was reported among 110 (64.7%) community members and 66 (76.7%) PLWHIV. Among community members, knowledge of Test and Treat strategy was significantly associated with ease of access (p < 0.001), affordability (p = 0.005) and insecurity (p = 0.013).
CONCLUSIONS:
HIV Test and Treat service access in the Fontem Health District has been stagnant since 2016 and is constrained by conflict-related disruptions, affordability challenges, and insecurity, despite good knowledge of the services among residents. Strengthening decentralized HIV service delivery, community testing and mobile ART models could enhance sustain HIV care in crisis affected districts.
The ongoing armed conflict in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon has disrupted health service delivery in affected communities, particularly for infectious diseases such as HIV. The Fontem Health District has been negatively impacted by the crisis, facing structural and security barriers that threaten progress towards the UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets. This study assessed access to HIV Test and Treat strategies in the Fontem Health District in Cameroon.
METHODS:
Routine facility data spanning 2016 – 2024 were reviewed to assess trends in service access alongside a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted between April–May 2025. Data collected from hospital records using a data extraction form was used to assess the trend in HIV service utilization, whereas a structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 170 community members and 86 people living with HIV to assess their knowledge of Test and Treat strategy, service utilization, and perceived barriers during crisis context.
RESULTS:
Access to HIV services declined during peak conflict years, with partial recovery observed after 2022. HIV testing uptake stagnated between 2016 to 2024, while ART initiation declined significantly (p = 0.006). Adequate knowledge of HIV Test and Treat services was reported among 110 (64.7%) community members and 66 (76.7%) PLWHIV. Among community members, knowledge of Test and Treat strategy was significantly associated with ease of access (p < 0.001), affordability (p = 0.005) and insecurity (p = 0.013).
CONCLUSIONS:
HIV Test and Treat service access in the Fontem Health District has been stagnant since 2016 and is constrained by conflict-related disruptions, affordability challenges, and insecurity, despite good knowledge of the services among residents. Strengthening decentralized HIV service delivery, community testing and mobile ART models could enhance sustain HIV care in crisis affected districts.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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