Understanding ART Adherence: Exploring the structural and psychosocial determinants of antiretroviral therapy adherence among pregnant women in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Shandir Ramlagan

Research output: ThesisDoctoral ThesisInternal

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Abstract

The possibility for all babies to be born and remain HIV-negative for the first year of life is achievable in South Africa. HIV-positive mothers’ adherence to their antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication is one of the crucial factors to achieve this target. The aim of the thesis was to better understand adherence as well as non-adherence to ART medication among HIV positive pregnant women in Mpumalanga province, South Africa. The thesis presents data of 673 HIV positive pregnant women in four cross-sectional studies and one longitudinal, clinic-randomized, PMTCT controlled trial. Disclosing HIV status and positive male involvement was highly associated with adherence. Stigma and partner violence was associated with non-adherence. Mothers were adherent while pregnant but changed to non-adherent a year after birth possibly due to change in necessity-concerns.
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • Maastricht University
Supervisors/Advisors
  • Ruiter, Rob, Supervisor
  • Sifunda, Sibusiso, Supervisor, External person
  • Peltzer, Karl, Supervisor, External person
Award date3 Dec 2019
Publisher
Print ISBNs9789463806015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Women
  • HIV
  • Antiretroviral adherence
  • Stigma
  • Disclosure
  • Male Involvement

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