Experiences of adolescents on antiretroviral therapy at Rustenburg Sub-District, North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Antiretroviral therapy is the treatment that has been implemented to combat advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus in order to prevent the spread of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and, as a result, help in extending the lifespan of those who have been infected. In 2004, a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antiretroviral therapy program was initiated in South Africa. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the experiences of adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome facilities in Rustenburg sub-district North West Province. Setting: The study was conducted in two primary health care clinics at North West province in Rustenburg sub district. Methodology: Qualitative research approach was used which is phenomenological descriptive, explorative and contextual. Non probability purposive sampling was used to select the health care facilities and adolescents were chosen using convenience sampling. In depth individual interviews were used to collect data from the participants until data saturation was reached. Collected data was analysed using Tesch's eight steps. Results: The findings of the study reveal that HIV positive adolescents are encountering various challenges while on ART which lead to then not adhering to treatment. lack of knowledge about own disease condition by adolescents from childhood to date affects the adolescents psychologically as they try to figure out the reason of taking treatment while adolescents are not. Recommendations: This study recommends that all adolescents living with HIV should receive ongoing counselling from health care providers so that they feel cared for and understand the need of adhering to treatment. Future research should include caregivers and health care workers for them to learn more on the experiences of the adolescents while on ART. Conclusion: Delayed disclosure of adolescent’s HIV positive status by parents until the adolescent discover by him/herself lead to poor adherence to treatment. Furthermore, the study concludes that the adolescents on ART are not yet free to disclose and trust people with their status, this led them to not having treatment buddies.