Family Medicine

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Browsing Family Medicine by Author "Nel, R."

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    Reasons cited for the interruption of anti-retroviral treatment in the Bloemfontein/Mangaung area
    (University of the Free State, 2020-11) Thomas Ross, Du Plessis; Van Lill, M.; Nel, R.
    Background: HIV infection is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide and causes significant morbidity and mortality. It is however treatable with anti-retroviral treatment. This does require regular, uninterrupted dosages to prevent the development of treatment resistance. There are many reasons why patients may be unable to remain compliant on their treatment including medication, healthcare and psycho-social reasons. Objectives: To investigate the reasons cited for treatment interruption of anti-retroviral treatment in patients admitted to National District Hospital from the Mangaung district. Methods: This was a prospective descriptive study. Data was obtained by voluntary structured interviews from patients admitted to National district hospital between February and April of 2020. A total of 17 patients were included. Results: Unemployment among participants was at 68%, with 54% reporting no consistent income. There was a fairly even spread of reasons cited for treatment interruption between the healthcare, medication and psychosocial factors. Stock issues, however, remained a prominent problem reported. Almost half of participants reported omissions in their counselling prior to treatment initiation. Medication side effects remains a problem with 52% of participants reporting side effects and 44% of those attributed non-compliance to it. The majority of patients reported good family support and fear of disclosure or stigma was not reported. All participants screened positive for symptoms of depression, with 52% falling into the moderate and severe depression categories. Conclusions: The challenges for people living with HIV to remain compliant with their treatment remains numerous and varied. The role that unemployment and poverty plays cannot be ignored. Continuing efforts need to be made to create a robust supply of medication to patients if good outcomes are to be achieved. Patients need to be well educated prior to treatment initiation and given good advice regarding the management of side effects. The prevalence of symptoms for Depressive Mood disorder in this patient population is high and needs to be actively screened for at initiation and follow-up of patients. Further research within more well-defined communities can be beneficial for the healthcare workers working in those areas.