Antiretroviral Adherence Perspectives of Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Guyana

Vitalis, Deborah and Hill, Zelee (2016) Antiretroviral Adherence Perspectives of Pregnant and Postpartum Women in Guyana. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, 16 (2). pp. 180-188. ISSN 2325-9574

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Abstract

The Caribbean region has the second highest HIV prevalence after Sub-Saharan Africa. Guyana’s adult HIV prevalence is 1.9% among pregnant women, with women accounting for an estimated 58% of all persons living with HIV. However, there are few studies on ART adherence in the Caribbean, none from Guyana, and none focusing on adherence in pregnancy and the postpartum period. The objective of this study was to explore the perspectives of HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women and healthcare providers in Guyana about barriers and facilitators to ART adherence. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with 24 HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women and nine healthcare professionals at five clinics between February and April 2012. The Framework Method for analysing qualitative data identified facilitators and barriers related to five core themes: (i) Concern for wellbeing of children; (ii) ART-related factors; (iii) Disclosure; (iv) Socio-economic issues; and (v) Religious and cultural beliefs. Non-disclosure did not adversely affect adherence, contrary to other studies in the literature. Two broad categories emerged from the lived experiences of women in Guyana. The first is related to the act of actually taking their medication where their tenacity is displayed in efforts made to ensure ART is taken. The second relates to the significance of ART to them in terms of reduced risk of MTCT, and the possibility of better health for themselves to enable them to care for their children. However, issues related to poverty, food insecurity and side effects reduced adherence need to be adequately addressed.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Guyana, ART, adherence, pregnancy, postpartum
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General) Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Technology and Environment (FSTE) > School of Biological and Chemical Sciences
Depositing User:	USP RSC Assistant
Date Deposited:	05 Oct 2017 03:25
Last Modified:	05 Oct 2017 03:25
URI:	https://repository.usp.ac.fj/id/eprint/10216

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