Attitudes and practices towards HAART among people living with HIV/AIDS in a resource-limited setting in northern Burkina Faso.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the perception of human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and attitudes and practices towards highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) among patients living in a resource-poor region of northern Burkina Faso, where HAART has only become available in recent years.


METHODS
A clinic-based cross-sectional survey of 306 patients taking HAART and 106 patients not yet on HAART.


METHODS
Face-to-face interview with a structured questionnaire at the clinic or at participants' homes.


RESULTS
Most patients were illiterate, but overall, they had adequate knowledge and positive attitudes towards HAART, and self-reported that their adherence was good. However, AIDS carried a psychological burden, as 27% of respondents were concerned that others might discover they were on HAART. The majority of respondents expressed concerns about transmitting HIV to others, but only 22% had disclosed their HIV status to their partners, and condom use was suboptimal. Approximately one-third of participants in the HAART group reported that they could no longer work in the same way as before they had AIDS. Multivariate logistic regression found that education and living with someone were positively associated with a favourable functioning status, and distance from clinic and lack of general support from family or friends were negatively associated with a favourable functioning status.


CONCLUSIONS
HAART was well accepted in this resource-poor region. Community education and supportive approaches may be critical for an effective preventive programme.
Ouahigouya Hospital, Ouahigouya City, Burkina Faso.
A K
AK
Guiro
A
A
Traore
A
A
Somda
S-L
SL
Huang
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002050:Burkina Faso; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012923:Social Class