title: Fears about antiretroviral therapy among users of the internet forum for people living with HIV/AIDS in Russia.
abstract: The purpose of this research was to identify different types of fear related to starting and adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Russia. Data were collected from the Russian-language internet forum for PLHIV (hivlife.info). Qualitative data analysis focused on the sections of the forum where users discussed health-related issues in order to identify fears related to HIV treatment. The following types of fear were revealed: fear of the illness, fear to learn negative information about one's health, fear of side effects, fear of therapy to be ineffective, fear that the appropriate medications will become unavailable, fear of lifestyle changes, and fear for the well-being of significant others. Efforts to increase the uptake of and adherence to ART should take into account the fears of PLHIV.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Sociology , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg , Russia.
authors.forename: Victoria I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Dudina
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Sociology , St. Petersburg State University , St. Petersburg , Russia.
authors.forename: Darja I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Judina
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health Behavior and Health Education , University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , MI , USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000600:supply & distribution / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005239:Fear; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008019:Life Style; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012426:Russia; D012747:Sexual Partners; D017211:Treatment Failure
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: People living with HIV; Russia; antiretroviral therapy; fears; internet forum