Belief in Medicines and Medication Adherence of People Living with HIV : A Case Study of a Hospital in Chaiyaphum Province

Abstract

Objective: To study belief in medicine, drug use behavior and adherence to antiretroviral drugs among HIV patients. Methods: This was a qualitative study which collected data through in-depth interviews. The study recruited 21 key informants aged 15-24 years, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and receiving at least 6 months of antiretroviral therapy in a small general hospital in Chaiyaphum province. Data collection was conducted during December 2020 and April 2021. The study analyzed the data by content analysis. Results: The majority of informants believed that antiretroviral drugs kept them healthy, strengthened their immunity and prevented opportunistic infections. Therefore, they adhered to medications by setting an alarm to remind all drug taking. Those experiencing adverse drug reactions or those taking medicines continuously for a long time, such as those who were infected from mother had a lower medication adherence. Most of the informants concealed their medication taking, changing medicine containers, and hiding during their hospital visits because they did not disclose their health problem to others. These could lead to irregular drug taking, missed hospital visit and medication fillings, or having inadequate amount of medication for taking. Conclusion: Most informants chose to conceal their infection status. Disclosure could lead to the problems in their social lives followed by fears of social rejection and problems in studying and working. Having regular antiretroviral therapy and taking their medications at the same time allowed them to lead their lives normally as everyone else did.