Understanding Specific Contexts of Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Rural South Africa: A Thematic Analysis of Digital Stories from a Community with High HIV Prevalence

Near-perfect adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is required to achieve the best possible prevention and treatment outcomes. Yet, there have been particular concerns about the challenges of adherence among patients living in resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa. 

The primary objective of this study was to explore adherence in a low-resourced, rural community of high HIV prevalence in South Africa and to identify specific individual and structural factors that can either challenge or support adherence in this context. We applied digital stories as a qualitative research tool to gain insights into personal contexts of HIV and ART adherence. Through an inductive thematic analysis of twenty story texts, soundtracks and drawings, we explored experiences, understandings, and contexts of the participants and identified potential barriers and facilitators for those on lifelong treatment. 

We found that many of the stories reflected a growing confidence in the effectiveness of ART, which should be viewed as a key facilitator to successful adherence since this attitude can promote disclosure and boost access to social support. Nevertheless, stories also highlighted the complexity of the issues that individuals and households face as they deal with HIV and ART in this setting and it is clear that an overburdened local healthcare system has often struggled to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding epidemic and to provide the necessary medical and emotional support. 

Our analysis suggests several opportunities for further research and the design of novel health interventions to support optimal adherence. Firstly, future health promotion campaigns should encourage individuals to test together, or at least accompany each other for testing, to encourage social support from the outset. 

Additionally, home-based testing and ART club interventions might be recommended to make it easier for individuals to adhere to their treatment regimens and to provide a sense of support and solidarity.

Below: Participant drawing depicting the pain of disclosure

Full article at:   http://goo.gl/th5yAY

By:  

Astrid Treffry-Goatley, Richard Lessells, Till Bärnighausen, Tulio de Oliveira, Janet Seeley 

Africa Centre for Population Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Astrid Treffry-Goatley, Relebohile Moletsane 

School of Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

Richard Lessells 

Department of Clinical Research, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Pam Sykes 

Independent digital storytelling practitioner and researcher, Digital storytelling South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa

Till Bärnighausen 

Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America

Tulio de Oliveira 

School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

Tulio de Oliveira 

Honorary, Research Department of Infection, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom

Tulio de Oliveira 

Research Department of Infection, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom

Janet Seeley 

Anthropology and Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom 

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