Title:
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Post-ART Symptoms Were Not the Problem: A Qualitative Study on Adherence to ART in HIV-Infected Patients in a Mozambican Rural Hospital
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Author:
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Maixenchs, Maria; Boene, Helena; Anselmo, Rui; Mindu, Carolina; Alonso, Pedro; Menéndez, Clara; Macete, Eusébio; Pool, Robert; Letang, Emilio; Naniche, Denise; Munguambe, Khátia
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Abstract:
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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this qualitative study was to
explore how clinical symptoms may affect adherence to
antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV patients, and to explore
factors, perceptions and attitudes related to adherence to
therapy. DESIGN: A qualitative study was carried out in the
context of the prospective cohort study "Evaluation of Immune
Reconstitution Following Initiation of Highly Active
Antiretroviral Treatment in Manhica, Mozambique". In-depth
Interviews were conducted twice in a sub-sample of the study
cohort (51 participants), at six-month intervals. RESULTS: Most
participants (73%) knew that AIDS is a chronic disease and that
ART does not cure it. Nine participants (18%) were non-adherent
at some point and two (4%) abandoned ART. All participants but
five reported having symptoms after starting ART, mainly
attributed to pills needing time to act and body's reaction to
the treatment. In spite of the perceived severity of the
symptoms, only two people reported they discontinued the
treatment due to symptoms. Almost all participants reported
feeling comfortable with the HIV clinic organization and
procedures, but afraid of staff being hostile if they did not
follow the rules or if the health worker visited their home.
Family was one of the most important source of support according
participants. Almost all participants with children said that a
decisive factor to follow the treatment was the desire to be
able to look after them. CONCLUSIONS: Experiencing symptoms
after starting treatment was not a barrier to adherence to ART.
Factors related to adherence included control measures set up by
the health facility (exhaustive follow up, support, information)
and family and community support. Indirect ART-related expenses
did jeopardise adherence. |
Subject(s):
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-Persones seropositives -Antiretrovirals -Cooperació dels malalts -Estudi de casos -Moçambic -HIV-positive persons -Antiretroviral agents -Patient compliance -Case studies -Mozambique |
Rights:
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cc by (c) Maixenchs et al., 2015
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/es/ |
Document type:
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Article Article - Published version |
Published by:
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Public Library of Science (PLoS)
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