Gaining a "normal life": HIV-positive Indonesian female injection drug users in drug recovery

Self-awareness as the key to successful adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV in Indonesia: A grounded theory study

Background

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) continues to pose a significant challenge for people living with HIV (PLWH). Non-adherence to ART can have far-reaching implications for patient well-being, particularly in increasing the risk of opportunistic infections when medication is not taken as prescribed.

Objective

This study aimed to develop a theoretical model that explains how PLWH in Indonesia adhere to their ART regimen and the strategies they follow to maintain adherence.

Methods

The study used a grounded theory approach. Data were collected through face-to-face in-depth interviews with 21 PLWH who had been taking ART for six months or more at a non-governmental organization (NGO) in Jakarta, Indonesia, between July 2019 and November 2019. Theoretical sampling was used, and the data analysis method of Corbin and Strauss was utilized, including open coding, axis coding, and selective coding.

Results

Three stages were identified as a process of adherence to the ART regimen: 1) initiating ART, 2) missing the connection, and 3) taking control. Self-awareness was identified as the central core theme describing the ART adherence process.

Conclusion

Having adequate self-awareness to take ART regularly is crucial to improving adherence to ART. Moreover, social support from one's spouse and family members can help patients maintain adherence. Therefore, self-awareness and support systems should be included as components in nursing interventions when starting ART therapy. In addition, nurses can help identify potential support persons and provide information related to ART therapy.

A qualitative study of healthcare providers' attitudes toward assisted partner notification for people with HIV in Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Assisted partner notification (APN) is recommended as a public health strategy to increase HIV testing in people exposed to HIV. Yet its adoption in many countries remains at an early stage. This qualitative study sought the opinions of HIV health service providers regarding the appropriateness and feasibility of implementing APN in Indonesia where such services are on the cusp of adoption.

METHODS

Four focus group discussions totaling 40 health service providers were held in Jakarta, Indonesia to consider APN as an innovative concept and to share their reactions regarding its potential implementation in Indonesia. Voice-recorded discussions were conducted in Bahasa, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed.

RESULTS

Participants recognized APN's potential in contacting and informing the partners of HIV-positive clients of possible viral exposure. They also perceived APN's value as a client-driven service permitting clients to select which of three partner notification methods would work best for them across differing partner relationships and settings. Nonetheless, participants also identified personal and health system challenges that could impede successful APN adoption including medical and human resource limitations, the need for specialized APN training, ethical and equity considerations, and lack of sufficient clarity concerning laws and government policies regulating 3^rd party disclosures. They also pointed to the job-overload, stress, personal discomfort, and the ethical uncertainty that providers might experience in delivering APN.

CONCLUSION

Overall, providers of HIV services embraced the concept of APN but forecast practical difficulties in key service areas where investments in resources and system change appeared necessary to ensure effective and equitable implementation.

Helping Women Suffering from Drug Addiction: Needs, Barriers, and Challenges

Statistical data on the use of various psychoactive substances indicate a narrowing of previous differences in substance use between men and women. Data from studies conducted among women suffering from drug addiction are increasingly published, with the authors highlighting the specific needs of this group and the difficulties that women with addiction problems encounter. The current study aimed to identify the barriers and needs of this audience, both when seeking help and during treatment. The method used in the study was secondary content analysis. To identify publications describing the barriers and needs of women suffering from drug addiction, we searched the PubMed database to find publications that met the adopted research objective. We set the data search period to the last ten years to examine the timeliness of the issue under study. The search yielded 199 research reports. Twenty-three articles describing 21 studies were included in the final analysis. The selected publications dealt with the difficulties and challenges faced by women with addiction problems. Barriers to accessing treatment for this group, the needs, and the challenges of helping women suffering from addiction were identified. Results showed that the barriers are mainly stigma but also deficits in the therapeutic offerings for this group. The primary need was identified as the introduction of appropriate drug policies, and the challenges, unfortunately, are the still-reported gender inequalities. To improve the situation of women, regular attention to these issues and the need to include them in national health strategies is essential.

Familial support in integrated treatment with antiretroviral therapy and medications for opioid use disorder in Vietnam: A qualitative study

Background: Patients report that familial support can facilitate initiation and maintenance of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). However, providing such support can create pressure and additional burdens for families of people with opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV. We examined perspectives of people with HIV receiving treatment for OUD in Vietnam and their family members. Methods: Between 2015 and 2018, we conducted face-to-face qualitative interviews with 44 patients and 30 of their family members in Hanoi, Vietnam. Participants were people living with HIV and OUD enrolled in the BRAVO study comparing HIV clinic-based buprenorphine with referral to methadone treatment at 4 HIV clinics and their immediate family members (spouses or parents). Interviews were professionally transcribed, coded in Vietnamese, and analyzed using a semantic, inductive approach to qualitative thematic analysis. Results: Family members of people with OUD and HIV in Vietnam reported financially and emotionally supporting MOUD initiation and maintenance as well as actively participating in treatment. Family members described the burdens of supporting patients during opioid use, including financial costs and secondary stigma. Conclusions: Describing the role of family support in the lives of people living with OUD and HIV in the context of Vietnam enriches our understanding of their experiences and will support future treatment efforts targeting the family unit.

Spousal intimacy, type of antiretroviral drug and antiretroviral therapy adherence among HIV patients in Bandung, Indonesia

Background

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has been proven effective in reducing the mortality rates among People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWH). However, poor adherence to ART may result in treatment failure. Few studies examine the relationship between spousal intimacy, type of ART and ART adherence. This study aimed to investigate the association between spousal intimacy, type of ART and antiretroviral therapy adherence among PLWH in Bandung, Indonesia.

Design and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 115 adult PLWH who were receiving ART at least for 6 months in RSUD Kota Bandung, they were selected with a consecutive sampling. The data were analyzed using chi-square test.

Results

The majority of PLWH (61.74%) reported had high level of spousal intimacy, about 93.91% PLWH used first line of ART, and 88.69% had high adherence in consuming ART. Spousal intimacy had a significant relationship to antiretroviral adherence (p value < 0.001) and type of ART (p value: 0.031, OR: 7.35) significantly associated with antiretroviral adherence.

Conclusions

PLWH who have high levels of spousal intimacy also have high levels of antiretroviral adherence. PLWH on firstline ART were 7.3 times more adherent on ART.