Browsing by Author "SaIi, Lungelo"

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    Adherence to anti-retroviral treatment: Perceptions of challenges and experiences among people living with aids
    (University of the Western Cape, 2007) SaIi, Lungelo; Mwaba, S
    New antiretroviral therapy has given hope to HIV-infected people, but the medication requires strict optimal adherence if suppression of HIV is to be maintained. Successful long-term treatment of HIV/AIDS requires at least 95o/o adherence to ARV medication in order to prevent emergence of drug-resistant HIV variants that lead to regimen failure and limit options of future therapy. Barriers to successful adherence to medication include patient-related, provider-related, regimen-related, disease-related, and systems related factors. This study focused on the understanding of participants' perceptions of challenges and solution to adherence to antiretroviral medication. In-depth interviews, using semi-structured schedules, were conducted with 10 HIV positive males and females between 18 and 30 years old, and on ARV treatment at a clinic in Crossroads. From the qualitative data, study deracinated a number of patients' perceptions of challenges and experiences they face in their battle with HIV/AIDS. These include patients' self-efficacy to take doses as prescribed, beliefs about taking medication, knowledge about HIV, counselling and education, denial, lack of food and hunger, stigma, perceived social support, side-effects, patient satisfaction, privacy and confidentiality, the challenge of alcohol, depression, and relation to health providers. The findings of the study indicate that effective adherence to medication requires long-term commitment and easy access to medication and HIV/AIDS education programmes to minimize the stigma of the disease. An important implication of the study is that programmes that identify and address barriers to adherence should be aligned with professionals who provide clinical care. The study further recommends that a longitudinal study that tracks adherence for some time, together with evaluations should be performed to identify lapses in adherence, treatment failure, non-adherence, and reduced quality of life for HIV positive people.