Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Rural Mozambique
Author Information
Author(s): Kate Groh, Carolyn M. Audet, Alberto Baptista, Mohsin Sidat, Alfredo Vergara, Sten H. Vermund, Troy D. Moon
Primary Institution: Vanderbilt University
Hypothesis
What are the barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy in rural Mozambique?
Conclusion
Community participants and health care workers identified economic, logistical, and cultural barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
Supporting Evidence
- Community participants reported a lack of confidentiality and poor treatment by hospital staff.
- Health care workers noted that patients often prefer traditional medicine over antiretroviral therapy.
- Economic barriers such as food insecurity were highlighted as significant challenges to adherence.
- Stigma surrounding HIV infection was frequently mentioned as a barrier to treatment adherence.
Takeaway
People in rural Mozambique have a hard time sticking to their HIV medicine because they can't afford food, have trouble getting to clinics, and face stigma about their illness.
Methodology
The study involved 18 focus groups with community members and health care workers across six rural districts in Zambézia Province.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to non-random selection of participants and reliance on community leaders for recruitment.
Limitations
Focus groups may not represent all views, and participants were not randomly selected.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 76 women and 88 men, with community participants averaging 35 years old and health care workers averaging 30 years old.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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