Effects of donor HIV/AIDS funding on primary healthcare delivery in southwest Nigeria: Evidence from hospital administrators

Objectives: The global spread of the HIV epidemic has spurred dramatic increase in HIV/AIDS funding across the developing world. Over the last decade, this has resulted in large influx of funds to developing countries like Nigeria. This qualitative research explores the effect of a decade of donor HIV/AIDS funding on health services in southwest Nigeria, through the experiences of hospital administrators. Method: Twelve senior healthcare professionals participated in the study. Facilities running HIV/AIDS funded program in both rural and urban communities were selected for the study. Data collection was via in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Transcription of data was done by professional service and data analysis was aided with the use of QSR Nvivo 10. Findings: The findings from this qualitative research were grouped under four major themes: Difference in program experience, HIV program has changed how we work, HIV programs affect personnel availability, and HIV programs have promoted professional development. Conclusion: The findings from this study support previous contention that HIV/AIDS funding improves professional development, contributes toward infrastructural upgrade, and improves the quality and coverage of HIV services. In addition, however, this study raises further questions about the worrying discriminatory nature of program incentives, increasing workload without commensurate incentives, provision of laboratory equipment, and support for infrastructural upgrades. These are hitherto unreported effects of HIV programs on health services that need to be further explored for their impacts on primary healthcare delivery in beneficiary countries and design of potential strategies to confront the challenges to ensure a more positive program experience.