Title
Dynamics of Treatment Supporters and Patients Starting HIV Therapy in Lima, Peru
Date Issued
04 February 2019
Access level
open access
Resource Type
journal article
Publisher(s)
SAGE Publications Inc.
Abstract
As per the National HIV Program in Peru, the designation of a patient-elected treatment supporter is a requisite for starting antiretroviral therapy (ART). These individuals are expected to aid the patient in medical and social support. This qualitative study examines the interaction between treatment supporters and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to elucidate key dynamics contributing to care. Twenty individual interviews with treatment supporters were analyzed alongside 5 group interviews: 2 groups of treatment supporters, 2 groups of PLWHA, and 1 group of community health workers. Findings characterized formal means of treatment support and informal emotional and instrumental support. Gradual transfer of treatment responsibilities from supporters to PLWHA was found to foster a sense of self-efficacy among PLWHA, and when paired with open communication and committed emotional support, created an ideal reciprocal relationship. However, lack of HIV-related knowledge among treatment supporters was detrimental. More training and systemic support for treatment supporters may optimize their role as informed participants in the care of PLWHA.
Volume
18
Language
English
OCDE Knowledge area
Ciencias socio biomédicas (planificación familiar, salud sexual, efectos políticos y sociales de la investigación biomédica) Otras ciencias sociales
Scopus EID
2-s2.0-85062095301
PubMed ID
Source
Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
ISSN of the container
23259574
Sponsor(s)
Many thanks to Socios en Salud/Partners in Health and the Arnhold Institute for Global Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai for continued partnership in support of this work. The author(s) received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Sources of information: Directorio de Producción Científica Scopus