# Accessing HIV care services by key populations — An Ubuntu philosophy reflection

## TL;DR

This paper explores how key populations in Africa face barriers to HIV care due to stigma and suggests using Ubuntu philosophy to improve healthcare access.

## Contribution

The paper introduces Ubuntu philosophy as a novel approach to address HIV care access challenges for key populations in Africa.

## Key findings

- Key populations face barriers like stigma and non-inclusive healthcare environments.
- Healthcare workers' attitudes significantly affect access to HIV care services.
- Ubuntu philosophy could improve training for healthcare providers to better serve key populations.

## Abstract

Key populations are disproportionately affected by HIV despite the significant decrease in new HIV infections in Africa. They experience challenges like stigma and discrimination as they interface with the healthcare system. This results in reduced access to HIV care services for key populations. Therefore, the attainment of HIV epidemic control may not be easily realised if these gaps are not addressed.

To explore and synthesise factors associated with accessing HIV care services by key populations, as well as make a reflection of this process using Ubuntu philosophy.

An integrative literature review was conducted on studies published between 2014 and 2024. An electronic search was performed on several databases. Examples of key phrases that were utilised for the search included Africa, HIV care services, key populations and Ubuntu. The studies included were qualitative and quantitative from peer-reviewed journals and restricted to Africa.

The following themes emerged: non-inclusive healthcare environment, attitudes of healthcare workers and stigma and discrimination. These findings illustrate the challenges and barriers affecting access to HIV care services for key populations.

The insights from this review call for a paradigm shift in the training programmes of healthcare providers in Southern Africa.

Given the challenges that affect key populations as they access HIV care services, in-service and pre-service training of healthcare providers should incorporate the humane values of Ubuntu.