title: A qualitative assessment of barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence among adolescents in western Kenya.
abstract: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) requires nearly perfect adherence to be effective. This study aims to identify key factors identified by HIV-infected adolescents on ART as contributing to medication adherence in western Kenya. Using a qualitative study design, three adolescent focus groups discussions were conducted at an urban and rural clinic site in western Kenya. The study population included HIV-infected adolescents receiving ART through the USAID-AMPATH HIV care system. A trained facilitator conducted groups in Kiswahili using a semi-structured interview guide probing multiple aspects of experience of taking medicines. Transcribed focus group dialogues were analyzed using constant comparison, progressive coding, and triangulation. The adolescents described a context of negative societal beliefs about HIV, necessitating a lifestyle of secrecy and minimizing the information shared about HIV or ART. Assessing and addressing adolescents' fears and behaviors regarding medication secrecy and disclosure may enable more accurate monitoring of adherence and development of intervention strategies.
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine June
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kunapareddy
authors.affiliation: Moi University School of Medicine, Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, Eldoret, Kenya, and USAID, Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya.
authors.forename: Winstone
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nyandiko
authors.affiliation: USAID, Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya, Indian University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA, and Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inui
authors.affiliation: USAID, Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya and Moi University School of Medicine, Department of Child Health and Pediatrics, Eldoret, Kenya.
authors.forename: Samwel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ayaya
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Indianapolis, United States, and Indiana University School of Medicine, Diabetes Translational Research Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Marrero
authors.affiliation: USAID, Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya, Regenstrief Institute, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA, and Indiana University School of Medicine, Children Health Services Research, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vreeman