Exploring Treatment Needs and Expectations for People Living with HIV in South Africa: A Qualitative Study.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2018

Identifier

DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2101-x; PMCID: PMC6051887

Abstract

The UNAIDS 90-90-90 treatment targets aim to dramatically increase the number of people who initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) by 2020. Greater understanding of barriers to ART initiation in high prevalence countries like South Africa is critical. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants in Gugulethu Township, South Africa, including 10 healthcare providers and 20 people living with HIV (PLWH) who did not initiate ART. Interviews explored barriers to ART initiation and acceptability of theory-based intervention strategies to optimize ART initiation. An inductive content analytic approach was applied to the data. Consistent with the Theory of Triadic Influence, barriers to ART initiation were identified at the individual, social, and structural levels. Results suggested high acceptability for intervention strategies involving trained HIV-positive peers among South African PLWH and healthcare providers. Research is needed to evaluate their feasibility and efficacy in high HIV prevalence countries.

Journal Title

AIDS and behavior

Volume

22

Issue

8

First Page

2543

Last Page

2552

MeSH Keywords

Adult; Anti-Retroviral Agents; Attitude to Health; Female; HIV Infections; Health Personnel; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Motivation; Needs Assessment; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Peer Group; Qualitative Research; South Africa; Stakeholder Participation

Keywords

Antiretroviral therapy; HIV; Qualitative; South Africa

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