BACKGROUND: @entity645 linkage and retention rates in sub-Saharan Africa remain low. The objective of this study was to explore perceived health facility barriers to linkage and retention in an @entity645 care program in western Kenya. METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted July 2012-August 2013. A total of 150 @entity1 including; 59 @entity1 diagnosed with @entity645 , @entity1906 , or @entity101 ; 16 caregivers; 10 community leaders; and 65 healthcare workers, were purposively sampled from three Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) sites. We conducted 16 in-depth interviews and 17 @entity1585 ( @entity1585 ) in either, English, Swahili, Kalenjin, Teso, or Luo. All data were audio recorded, transcribed, translated to English, and a content analysis performed. Demographic data was only available for those who participated in the @entity1585 . RESULTS: The mean age of @entity1 in the @entity1585 was 36  years (SD   =   9.24). The majority (87%) were married, (62.7%) had secondary education level and above, and (77.6%) had a source of income. Salient barriers identified reflected on @entity1 ' satisfaction with @entity645 care. Barriers unique to linkage were reported as quality of post-test counseling and coordination between @entity645 testing and care. Those unique to retention were frequency of clinic appointments, different appointments for mother and @entity1 , lack of @entity645 care for institutionalized populations including students and prisoners, lack of food support, and inconsistent linkage data. Barriers common to both linkage and retention included access to health facilities, stigma associated with health facilities, service efficiency, poor provider- @entity1 interactions, and lack of @entity1 incentives. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that there were similarities and differences between perceived barriers to linkage and retention. The cited barriers reflected on the need for a more @entity1 -centered approach to @entity645 care. Addressing health facility barriers may ultimately be more efficient and effective than addressing @entity1 related barriers.

Health facility barriers to XXXX linkage and retention in Western Kenya.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['participants', 'patients', 'patient', 'child'] @entity101 :: ('MESH:D006973', 'Disease') :: ['hypertension'] @entity645 :: ('57667', 'Species') :: ['HIV'] @entity1906 :: ('MESH:D014390', 'Disease') :: ['TB'] @entity1585 :: ('MESH:D065703', 'Disease') :: ['FGDs', 'focus group discussions']
@entity645 :: (57667,Species) :: ['HIV']
