[Relationship between physicians and HIV patients: influence on adherence and quality of life].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the influence of the relationship between people living with HIV/AIDS and health care providers on treatment adherence and quality of life.


METHODS
Qualitative study conducted in Mexico, in 2003, with informants recruited from HIV/AIDS support groups, non-governmental organizations, and infectious disease clinics in public hospitals. A total of 40 people living with HIV/AIDS and five support group leaders were interviewed. Data were collected using sociodemographic questionnaires and in-depth interviews exploring the experience of living with HIV/AIDS, including treatment, disease perception, quality of life, physical and emotional health, and relationship with physicians. Responses were recorded, transcribed and organized thematically based on codes using an inductive analysis.


RESULTS
Most respondents aged between 26 and 45 years. The main obstacles to care were related to lack of risk awareness and information among people living with HIV/AIDS and physicians. Physicians proved not to be well trained on HIV/AIDS care. During the follow-up care, most problems were related to inadequate treatment adherence mainly caused by poor communication with physicians and discrimination in public services.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall the problems identified were related to information deficiencies, physicians' lack of training and paternalism, and social stigmatization of people living with HIV/AIDS associated with the epidemic.
Herrera
Cristina
C
Centro de Investigaciones en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México, Distrito Federal, Mexico.
Campero
Lourdes
L
Caballero
Marta
M
Kendall
Tamil
T
D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents