title: Barriers to adherence to antiretroviral treatment: the perspectives of patient advocates.
abstract: Patient advocates were asked for their perspectives on the structural barriers to adherence to antiretroviral treatment among patients living with HIV. Poverty-related barriers were transport difficulties, food insecurity and patients' receipt of a disability grant. Institutional barriers were long waiting times at clinics, negative experiences with clinic staff, low levels of health literacy and poor access to substance abuse treatment. Social and cultural barriers were the role of traditional healing practices, the influence of charismatic churches and perceived stigmatization. We offer a perspective on assisting patients living with HIV in addressing these key structural barriers to adherence.
authors.affiliation: Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa. skagee@sun.ac.za
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kagee
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Delport
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011287:Prejudice; D012067:Religion
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents