Preferential adherence to antiretroviral therapy over tuberculosis treatment: A qualitative study of drug-resistant TB/HIV co-infected patients in South Africa

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and second-line antituberculosis medications is essential to achieve successful outcomes among individuals co-infected with HIV and multi or extensively drug-resistant TB (M/XDR-TB). In 2012–2013, we designed a qualitative study to explore barriers to adherence in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We conducted six focus groups comprising 23 adults receiving treatment for either MDR-TB (n = 2) or XDR-TB (n = 21); 17 were on concurrent ART. Participants expressed a preference for ART over M/XDR-TB treatment as a result of greater tolerability, lower pill burden and a commitment to ART. Treatment outcomes and the social morbidity associated with M/XDR-TB, characterised by public notification, stigma and social isolation, were perceived to be worse than with HIV. Poor communication, low patient involvement and provider supervision of treatment exacerbated participants' negative experiences with TB care. To improve adherence, it is critical that new regimens for drug-resistant TB be developed with better efficacy, lower pill burden and fewer adverse effects. For the first time, such improved regimens are on the horizon. In parallel and equally important is the implementation of a cohesive approach that promotes patient involvement, empowerment and treatment literacy for HIV and for TB.     

Barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening uptake among women in Nepal – a qualitative study

ABSTRACT

The global incidence of cervical cancer is approximately 570,000 cases and 311,000 deaths annually. Almost 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low and middle income countries. Screening is the most effective tool in prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of cervical cancer. Nepal has no national cervical cancer screening programme, and data from 2003 showed that only 2.8% of Nepalese women had ever been screened. We conducted a qualitative study to obtain better insight into barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening among women in Nepal to generate data to inform interventions. In February 2019, four focus group discussions with previously screened and non-screened women, and Female Community Health Volunteers and four in-depth interviews with health workers were conducted in Pokhara Metropolitan City. Semi-structured interview guides were used, interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using grounded theory approach with open coding. This resulted in five main themes: 1) lack of husband’s support for screening, 2) prevalent stigma and discrimination, 3) lack of awareness about screening options, 4) getting screened, and 5) health care providers. We encourage policymakers and stakeholders apply these findings to improve awareness, access to information, and better screening services in Nepal.     

Barriers and facilitators for preventing adverse drug reactions of long latency: a qualitative study

Objective: To understand the practices medical care providers and health care staff utilize in managing and preventing Adverse Drug Reactions of Long Latency (ADRLLs) among their patients on medications such as glucocorticoids. Design: Qualitative study of key informant interviews. Setting: Denver Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. Participants: Fourteen physician providers and health care staff (nurses and pharmacists) in primary care and rheumatology. Methods: A trained interviewer conducted semi-structured interviews in which providers and health care staff were asked about their processes for tracking and averting ADRLLs. Participants were asked about barriers and facilitators to monitoring ADRLLs and solicited for suggestions to improve existing processes. Interviews were analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Results: Providers overwhelmingly commented on barriers, rather than facilitators. Six core themes emerged regarding ADRLL management barriers: patient noncompliance, provider workload, complications coordinating care, provider unfamiliarity with ADRLLs, lack of a standardized monitoring system, and communication failures. Ideas to improve the monitoring of ADRLLs fell into two domains: improving automated computer generated reminders or assigning a specific person to monitor potential ADRLLs. Conclusions: Interviewees strongly endorsed a more systematic approach to ADRLL management, either through less intrusive computer-generated system reminders or through a dedicated staff person, such as a pharmacist, who could more closely monitor potential ADRLLs. There was disagreement among interviewees about who is responsible for monitoring ADRLLs (specialists versus primary care providers, VA versus non-VA providers, residents versus attending physicians).     

Barriers to and facilitators for female participation in an HIV prevention project in Rural Ethiopia: Findings from a qualitative evaluation

Ethiopian women face complex social and cultural factors that influence their probability of HIV infection. HIV prevention efforts among this population are particularly important; however, female participation in a rural, HIV prevention project has been minimal. This programme evaluation investigated barriers and facilitators influencing women's ability to participate in project activities. Evaluation data were collected through nine focus groups and 20 semi‐structured interviews, which were conducted between October and November 2003. The main themes found to negatively influence women's decisions to participate in this HIV prevention activity included: domestic workloads, lack of education and awareness, and cultural norms that have discouraged discussions about HIV and sexuality. Domestic chores, which are labour intensive and limit time and energy, were found to be the primary barrier to participation among women. Respondents also indicated that female illiteracy and limited educational attainment occur within a social context that traditionally supports education for men but discourages formal knowledge among women, including HIV prevention. Lack of education and inability to freely discuss sexuality denies women access to health information, potentially exposing women to adverse consequences such as HIV infection. Identified facilitators of participation included a radio serial drama and the one female peer educator associated with the project.     

Barriers to and facilitators for female participation in an HIV prevention project in rural Ethiopia: findings from a qualitative evaluation

Ethiopian women face complex social and cultural factors that influence their probability of HIV infection. HIV prevention efforts among this population are particularly important; however, female participation in a rural, HIV prevention project has been minimal. This programme evaluation investigated barriers and facilitators influencing women's ability to participate in project activities. Evaluation data were collected through nine focus groups and 20 semi-structured interviews, which were conducted between October and November 2003. The main themes found to negatively influence women's decisions to participate in this HIV prevention activity included: domestic workloads, lack of education and awareness, and cultural norms that have discouraged discussions about HIV and sexuality. Domestic chores, which are labour intensive and limit time and energy, were found to be the primary barrier to participation among women. Respondents also indicated that female illiteracy and limited educational attainment occur within a social context that traditionally supports education for men but discourages formal knowledge among women, including HIV prevention. Lack of education and inability to freely discuss sexuality denies women access to health information, potentially exposing women to adverse consequences such as HIV infection. Identified facilitators of participation included a radio serial drama and the one female peer educator associated with the project.     

Understanding the facilitators and barriers of antiretroviral adherence in Peru: A qualitative study

Background  

Antiretroviral scale-up is increasing in resource-constrained settings. To date, few studies have explored the barriers and facilitators of adherence to ART in these settings. Facilitators and barriers of antiretroviral adherence in Peru are not completely understood.     

Barriers and facilitators aspects of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Belo Horizonte-MG

The aim of this study was to know the constraining and facilitating aspects of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among people with HIV/AIDS. This was a qualitative study, carried out with 26 individuals receiving HAART and assisted by a referral service in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The analysis of the interviews regarding the constraints found by users, resulted in categories relating to Day-by-day life, HIV representations, and the complexity of the treatment. As for the facilitating aspects, the categories found were absence of side effects, remembering the symptoms of the disease, improved survival, and influences from the social networks. Results have shown the importance of an effective follow-up so that health care professionals can build strategies to improve adherence to HAART together with the individuals.     

Barriers and facilitators to adopting healthier lifestyle among low-income women in Saudi Arabia: A qualitative study

Introduction

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is significantly associated with increased levels of obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity leading to a higher risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to explore low SES women's barriers and facilitators to engaging in a healthy lifestyle and their accounts in developing future behaviour change interventions.

Methods

Qualitative study using focus group interviews informed by the Capability Opportunity Motivation—Behavior (COM-B) framework. Interviews were conducted with a convenience sample, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. This study is conducted in partnership with Alnahda Society, a prominent nongovernmental organization in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Results

We conducted five focus groups with a total of 29 participants. We identified five overarching themes from the data related to participants' definition of a ‘healthy life’, the difficulties they face that hinder their engagement with a healthy lifestyle, the methods and reasons for changing health behaviour and participants' views of an ideal future behaviour change intervention. Women's definition of a healthy lifestyle did not only include a healthy diet and physical activity but also emphasized the importance of improving mental wellness. Following a healthy lifestyle, although desired, is not always a priority for women with low SES due to the high cost, lack of availability of healthy options and time constraints. Many women in our sample discussed the need to have a routine and discipline to follow and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Family members' support for behaviour change was discussed as a facilitator to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Women highlighted several reasons that would motivate them to change their health behaviour, including having or preventing health conditions, improving mental health, and managing weight. Participants also discussed the characteristics of an ideal behaviour change intervention.

Discussion

This study suggests that women with low SES are faced with several barriers to adopting a healthy lifestyle. Behaviour change intervention targeting this population needs to be tailored to address these barriers and facilitate behaviour change for people with limited resources. National policies to improve the availability and affordability of healthy options are also needed to reduce health disparities.

Patient and Public Contributions

Women of low SES who took part in the study were given a chance at the end of each focus group discussion to reflect on the questions and add any areas important to them that were not covered during the interview. Experts working with disadvantaged populations in a nonprofit organization (Alnahda society) contributed to the design of the topic guide.     

Barriers for introducing HIV testing among tuberculosis patients in Jogjakarta,Indonesia: a qualitative study

Background  

HIV and HIV-TB co-infection are slowly increasing in Indonesia. WHO recommends HIV testing among TB patients as a key response to the dual HIV-TB epidemic. Concerns over potential negative impacts to TB control and lack of operational clarity have hindered progress. We investigated the barriers and opportunities for introducing HIV testing perceived by TB patients and providers in Jogjakarta, Indonesia.     

An assessment of factors contributing to treatment adherence and knowledge of TB transmission among patients on TB treatment

Background  

The treatment guidelines for tuberculosis treatment under Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) have been a common strategy for TB treatment in Zambia. The study was carried out in Ndola, Zambia, to investigate factors contributing to treatment non-adherence and knowledge of TB transmission among patients on TB treatment, in order to design a community-based intervention, that would promote compliance.     

江苏省肺结核患者电子药盒的取药记录与实际服药的一致性研究

目的通过肺结核患者尿液中抗结核药物残留物检测,验证电子药盒的取药记录与患者实际服药的一致性。方法在应用电子药盒开展肺结核患者管理试点地区,随机连续纳入新登记的初治结核患者138例作为研究对象,其中强化期患者74例,继续期患者64例。所有纳入患者均采用隔日化疗方案2H3R3Z3E3/4H3R3,并使用电子药盒进行治疗管理。在不提前通知患者情况下,医务人员上门收集患者尿液,并用三氯甲烷检测尿液中利福平类药物残留,确定患者的服药状况。通过对比患者同一天的电子药盒记录和尿液中结核病药物残留物检测结果,观察两种方法结果的异同。结果在纳入的138例患者中,对108例患者尿液进行了检测,检测率为78.26%(108/138)。患者24h内电子药盒的取药记录反映患者实际服药行为的灵敏度和特异度均为100.0%(108/108)。同时,电子药盒在不同性别组患者的灵敏度和特异度以及处于不同治疗阶段患者的灵敏度和特异度均较高;统计学分析显示患者电子药盒取药记录和尿液中抗结核药物残留物检测结果在不同人群中的应用差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论电子药盒的取药记录与肺结核患者服药行为高度一致,可以作为协助监测肺结核患者服药行为的新工具加以推广应用。     

Physicians' communication with patients about adherence to HIV medication in San Francisco and Copenhagen: a qualitative study using Grounded Theory

Background  

Poor adherence is the main barrier to the effectiveness of HIV medication. The objective of this study was to explore and conceptualize patterns and difficulties in physicians' work with patients' adherence to HIV medication. No previous studies on this subject have directly observed physicians' behavior.     

Failure is not an option: Barriers to HIV treatment adherence in Kampala,Uganda

This study seeks to investigate challenges to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) treatment adherence and treatment outcomes in Kampala, Uganda. Data was collected from a survey administered to two cohorts of patients with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) receiving care and cART from the Joint Clinical Research Center (JCRC) in Kampala. Cohort I consisted of 93 individuals successfully treated on cART for a period of three years, while Cohort II consisted of 56 individuals who have experienced treatment failure with first-line cART within two years. We hypothesize that distance to the treatment facility would be a predictor of poor adherence and thus treatment failure. However, results suggested otherwise, whereby participants living more than 2 h away from their treatment facility were actually less likely to miss their daily dose of cART (OR = 0.33, p < .05), compared to those living in proximity to the treatment center. Further, high-income employment (OR = 3.82, p < .05) and partnered relationship status (OR = 4.28, p < .05) were predicted to increase the probability of missing doses. These findings may be explained by the deep-seated stigma which has remained pervasive in the lives of HIV-positive population in Kampala, even 30 years after the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.     

A qualitative study of literacy and patient response to HIV medication adherence questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to elicit patient feedback regarding the perceived clarity and level of difficulty associated with self-report human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medication adherence measurement tools. HIV-infected patients from clinics in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Chicago, Illinois, were recruited to participate in four focus group discussions. Three groups consisted of patients with limited literacy skills (< ninth-grade reading ability), and one group contained patients with adequate literacy skills (> or = ninth-grade reading ability). Five themes emerged: (1) respondent understanding of the term "adherence," (2) recall, (3) question format, (4) visual aids, and (5) instrument administration. Participants struggled to define adherence, relied on visual cues to identify medications, and had a short recall time frame for missed doses (< or =3 days). Most preferred simple question formats and for their physician to assess adherence orally. Patients receiving treatment for HIV infection, especially those with limited literacy skills, may find it difficult to respond to existing HIV medication adherence questionnaires.     

Barriers and facilitators to cervical cancer screening in high incidence populations: A synthesis of qualitative evidence

ABSTRACT

Despite the efficacy and availability of screening and treatment for cervical cancer, it remains the leading cause of death for women in many low resource countries. The inability or reluctance of women to use screening and treatment is the largest contributor to cervical cancer morbidity and mortality. The aim of the author in this article is to determine knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs that facilitate or hinder women’s use of screening in high incidence countries through a synthesis of qualitative research. CINAHL, Medline, AnthroSource, Sociological Abstracts, Social Service Abstracts, GenderWatch, Ethnic News Watch, and ASSIA databases were queried for qualitative research published from 2008 to 2013. Ten studies meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed and analyzed using constant comparative analysis. Barriers to cervical cancer screening included fatalism, mistrust of non-traditional healthcare providers, masculine/feminine beliefs, limited knowledge, and misunderstandings of causes of cervical cancer. Facilitators included knowledge of sexual risk factors, recognition of signs and symptoms, and community/social support. Pragmatic solutions suggested by this synthesis, that may decrease barriers and enhance facilitators, involved cultural humility (a continual commitment to cultural competence), promotion of gender equality, collaboration among stakeholders, and the translation of evidence-based practices from low to high incidence populations.