BACKGROUND:
Expanded global access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has turned Human Immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) into a manageable chronic disease. Gradually increasing in age poses an increased risk for NCDs to people living with HIV(PLHIV). Intervention for the management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is needed to improve their quality of life. This study identified the provider's and stakeholders’ perceptions on benefits, perceived challenges, and needs on the integration of NCDs services delivery with HIV services in Rwanda and explored the provider's and stakeholders’ preferences and needs on the integration of NCDs services delivery with HIV services in Rwanda health facilities.
METHODS: The study conducted for the period of 8 months from August 2021.A qualitative approach using Interpretive description and purposive sampling . Data collection was done using an interview guide to conduct in-depth interviews among healthcare providers, HIV and NCDs program implementors from central level, program partners, and civil society. Interviews were conducted in Kinyarwanda, transcribed, translated in English, and analyzed using Dedoose software. Thematic analysis was used. Ethical approval was sought and obtained and participants provided consent.

RESULTS: A total number of 48 in-depth interviews were conducted. Four themes were identified including perception and preference for NCDs-service integration with HIV care services; benefits on the integration of NCDs-service with HIV care services; perceived challenges with NCDs services integration in HIV care and Perceived needs/plan for the integration of NCDs care in HIV services delivery. “We still have the problem of human resource, staff where you find staff which are trained on HIV are not the ones who are trained for NCDs implies that healthcare providers who are providing HIV service have a little knowledge on NCDs and those providing NCDs service have little knowledge on HIV.” A civil society respondent
CONCLUSIONS: NCDs are a global burden and especially among PLHIV the integration of NCDs management in HIV care is a vital need. Thus, the global community and health system should increase awareness of NCDs awareness and invest in healthcare providers' capacity building, infrastructure, and care which will facilitate the smooth provision of NCDs prevention and care to PLHIV.

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