Table 2.

Facilitators and barriers to linkage in care by levels

Level	Categories	Themes/Factors
Individual	Facilitators	Individuals being sick at the time of diagnosis
		Individuals disclosing their status to someone
		Social and moral support from family members/relatives and from other PLHIV
	Barriers	Fear of stigma
		Denial and being asymptomatic
		Poor health literacy
		Lack or fear of disclosure
		Belief in witchcraft and traditional treatment
		Spiritual beliefs
Health Care Provider	Facilitators	Support or encouragement from health care providers
		Good patient-healthcare provider relationship
	Barriers	Negative attitude from healthcare provider
Health System	Facilitators	Availability of referral procedures i.e. referral letter/Referral form
		Good service organization
	Barriers	Poor clinic procedures and visit schedules
		Clinic over-crowding
		Long waiting times at the clinic
		Few care and treatment centers and inadequate resources
		Shortage of staff
		Inadequate CD4 testing machines (malfunctioning)
Contextual	Facilitators	Short distance Less costs to clinic
	Barriers	Long distance high transport cost