title: Belief in divine healing can be a barrier to antiretroviral therapy adherence in Uganda.
abstract: Although recent data suggest high levels of adherence to expanding antiretroviral therapy (ART) programmes in resource-limited settings, the culture-specific barriers to adherence are poorly understood. In a prospective observational study, we found that 1.2% of patients discontinued ART because of a belief in spiritual healing. Spiritual beliefs should be an important part of ART adherence counselling in resource-limited settings, requiring close collaboration between HIV care programmes and religious leaders to identify common goals and ensure successful treatment.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Institute, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wanyama
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Castelnuovo
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wandera
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mwebaze
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kambugu
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Bangsberg
authors.forename: Moses R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kamya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003469:Culture; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012067:Religion; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016312:Treatment Refusal; D014454:Uganda
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents