The Perceptions of HIV-Positive Patients (ART Patients) on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART), Treatment Supporters and Health Care Workers with Regard to their Role in ART Adherence at ART Clinics in the Intermediate Hospital Oshakati, Namibia

This study sought to explore and describe the perceptions of patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART patients), treatment supporters and health care workers (HCWs) about their roles in antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. This study was carried out at the Oshakati ART clinic at the Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in Oshana region, northern Namibia. A descriptive, explanatory qualitative design was used. Convenient sampling was used as a sampling technique and unstructured interviews were used as the data collection method. Data was analysed using a content analysis method.

The findings of this study revealed that ART patients perceived a number of factors as affecting ART adherence; these include a lack of money and transport as well as poverty, while ART clinic-related factors included negative attitudes experienced on the part of ART clinic staff, long distances that have to be travelled to the ART clinic, as well as long queues and lengthy waiting times as the clinic. The findings also revealed that ART patients, treatment supporters and HCWs perceived their roles as pivotal to ART adherence and all had positive perceptions of these roles. HCWs and treatment supporters perceived adherence as an important aspect in the success of ART.

The recommendations made based on the findings of this study include the consideration by government to decentralise ART treatment to clinics and health centres in order to increase access and reduce the costs of accessing ART treatment.

Author(s):

Olivia Tuhadeleni, Eva Gary, Daniel Opotamutale Ashipala and Vistolina Nuuyoma

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