‘…So that’s why we hide, we don’t want them to know’— challenges to antiretroviral therapy adherence in Kampala, Uganda

ABSTRACT

This study’s aim was to advance knowledge of challenges faced by people living with HIV (PLWH) and to understand how they navigate treatment adherence in the context of Kampala, Uganda. Thematic analysis of the interview transcripts was conducted in NVivo. It emerged from the interviews that PLWH grapple with stigma, as well as the burden of the drug regimen, food insecurity, and transport and travel. All participants emphasized the negative effects of stigma on their daily lives, whether at work, at home or in transit. Social processes such as stigmatization must be considered by health policymakers, to maximize treatment adherence.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV/AIDS
• Uganda
• stigma
• combination antiretroviral therapy
• adherence

Acknowledgments

This research was made possible through the generous support and guidance of the JCRC staff including Christine Mukasa, Erinah Abaasa, Sandra Rwambuya and many others. Above all, we would like to acknowledge and thank the study’s participants for their willingness to share their experiences with us.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided to Dr. Arts by the NIH/NIAID grant AI49170. Dr. Arts also received funding for this study as a Canada Research Chair Tier I with the title, CRC in HIV-1 Pathogenesis and Viral Control.

Notes on contributors

Gabrielle Bruser

Gabrielle Bruser has a Master of Science in Geography from Western University. Her research interests include health inequality, social determinants of health, and HIV/AIDS.

Isaac Luginaah

Isaac Luginaah, PhD is a Professor of Health Geography at Western University. His research interests include environment and health, population health and GIS applications in health.

Ritah Katasi

Ritah Katasi works as a Research Assistant at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC). She coordinates and supports research projects related to HIV drug resistance, treatment accessibility and other topics.

Lily Ziyue Zhang

Lily Ziyue Zhang is a PhD candidate in Human Geography at the University of Toronto. Her research interests include global health and urban geography.

Miriam Namasinga

Miriam Namasinga works as a Nurse at the JCRC, in Kampala, Uganda. She works with clients living with HIV/AIDS, and also supports research projects at the JCRC.

Cissy Kityo

Cissy Kityo, MD is the Executive Director of the JCRC, in Kampala, Uganda. Her research interests include clinical trials, operational research, the evolution of HIV drug resistance, and other topics.

Eric Arts

Eric Arts, PhD is a Professor with the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Western University. His research interests include virology, HIV, drug resistance and other topics.