Table 2.

Qualitative Interview Protocol on Barriers to and Facilitators of Linkage to Care

Topic	Protocol question
Testing description	What did you think of the testing event? What worked well? What did not work as well?a
	What strategies do you use to follow up with clients who test positive, after you provide a clinic referral? What works well?b
	What does not work as well? How can the linkage protocols be improved?b
General barriers to care	What are the major factors that prevent regular access to healthcare (visiting a doctor; in general, not specific to HIV) in this fishing community? [FOR EACH LISTED] Why do you think that this is a barrier?a
General facilitators of care	What are the major factors that facilitate regular access to healthcare (visiting a doctor; in general, not specific to HIV) in this fishing community? [FOR EACH LISTED] Why do you think that this is a facilitator?a
Barriers to HIV care	What are the major barriers or challenges that could prevent people in fishing communities from getting timely care for HIV after they test positive? [FOR EACH LISTED] Why do you think that this is a barrier?a
	How do you think people’s beliefs and attitudes about HIV, health, and healthcare can affect whether they get care after testing positive?a
	How do you think people’s beliefs and attitudes about traditional healers can affect whether they get care after testing positive?a
	How do you think community norms around HIV, healthcare, and traditional healers can affect whether they get care after testing positive?a
Facilitators of HIV care	What are the major factors that could facilitate people in fishing communities getting timely care for HIV after they test positive? [FOR EACH LISTED] Why do you think that this is a facilitator?a
Perceived need	Do you think how healthy or unhealthy a person feels might affect whether he or she gets timely care for HIV after testing positive? Why or why not?a
Psychological barriers	In what ways might stigma be a challenge to someone getting timely care after testing positive?a
	In what ways might lack of social support be a challenge to getting timely care after testing positive?a
Tangible barriers	In what ways is lack of transportation to healthcare a barrier to getting timely care after testing positive?a
	What about not being able to get an appointment at the clinic, because the clinic is too busy or not open at convenient times?a
	How is the cost of medical care a challenge or not a challenge to receiving timely HIV care?a
	How can quality of healthcare services in fishing communities affect getting timely care after testing positive?a
Personal healthcare	Did you visit a healthcare provider after you tested positive? [IF YES] How long after you tested positive did you visit a healthcare provider for the first time?c
	Do you think it is necessary for you to get HIV care? Why or why not?c

^aHIV-positive clients and stakeholders

^bStakeholders only

^cHIV-positive clients only