Coping with Mental Health Problems and Medication Adherence Challenges Among Persons Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy

Although several studies have investigated common mental disorders among persons living with HIV, few have explored how they cope with both a mental health condition and treatment adherence requirements. We conducted qualitative interviews with 20 South African antiretroviral treatment (ART) users l...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AIDS and behavior 2023-07, Vol.27 (7), p.2243-2254
Main Authors: van Wyk, Elizabeth Susan, Kagee, Ashraf
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adaptation, Psychological
Alcohol use
Antiretroviral agents
Antiretroviral drugs
Antiretroviral therapy
Coping
Health behavior
Health problems
Health Psychology
HIV
HIV Infections - drug therapy
HIV Infections - psychology
Human immunodeficiency virus
Humans
Infectious Diseases
Medical treatment
Medication adherence
Medication Adherence - psychology
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental Health
Mental health services
Original Paper
Patient compliance
Post traumatic stress disorder
Prescription drugs
Public Health
Social behavior
Social interactions
Social Stigma
Social support
South Africa - epidemiology
Stress
Treatment compliance
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Summary:Although several studies have investigated common mental disorders among persons living with HIV, few have explored how they cope with both a mental health condition and treatment adherence requirements. We conducted qualitative interviews with 20 South African antiretroviral treatment (ART) users living with a mental health condition, a sub-sample from a larger study, at a community clinic and a secondary hospital in the Western Cape of South Africa. The interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. We found that participants used a range of coping methods to manage stressors pertaining to HIV, their mental health condition, and their environments. Participants used religion more frequently than any other way of coping. Both public and self-stigma challenged individuals and impacted HIV disclosure and social support seeking behaviour. Participants reported misconceptions held by themselves and others concerning mental health problems and HIV.
ISSN:1090-7165
1573-3254
DOI:10.1007/s10461-022-03955-4