title: What Time is it? Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Ethiopia.
abstract: This study assessed adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia and explored the sociocultural context in which they relate to their regimen requirements. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews with 105 patients on ART and observations held at the study clinic. We analyzed data using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Our findings indicate that study participants are highly adherent to dose but less adherent to dose schedule. Strict dose time instructions were reported as stressful and unrealistic. The discrepancy between adherence to dose and dose schedule could be explained by time perception, difficulty with the strictness of medication regimens, or beliefs about dose timing adherence. Care providers should acknowledge the complexities of medication practices and engage in shared decision-making to incorporate patients' perspectives and identify effective interventions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. yordanos_tiruneh@brown.edu.|Center for Gerontology and Health Care Research, Brown University School of Public Health, Box G-S121-6, Providence, RI, 02912, USA. yordanos_tiruneh@brown.edu.
authors.forename: Yordanos M
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Tiruneh
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services, Policy & Practice, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
authors.forename: Ira B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: Adherence to dose; Adherence to schedule; Antiretroviral therapy; Dose timing; Ethiopia; HIV