Organizational Factors Affecting the Delivery of Pediatric Antiretroviral Therapy by NGOS in Uganda: A Case of TASO Uganda.

Abstract

The study examined organizational factors and their effect on the delivery of pediatric ART by NGOs in Uganda. TASO, an indigenous NGO was selected; three of its centers located in the central region were reviewed. A triangulation of methods were used to collect data; semi-structured interviews were used to collect qualitative data from TASO staff holding key positions at the centers and a self-administered questionnaire to collect quantitative data from staff who worked directly with children. Even though ART has been in existence at TASO centers since 2004, there has been a slow increase in the registration rates of children onto the program. The organizational factors covered in this study in order to identify which ones affected delivery of pediatric ART included; systems, leadership styles, staff and policies. TASO staff agreed that the management of the different organizational factors played a major role in the delivery of services regardless of which leadership style was applied. Many noted that the procedures and guidelines for handling childcare were not adequately explained during their orientation to the organization. Overall, the quality of management of organizational factors at TASO dictated the quality of service given to the children. TASO Uganda should therefore endeavor to provide an enabling environment to their staff, such as enlarging and extending the orientation package and time so as to introduce appropriate childcare guidelines to their work force during their induction days.