Adherence among chaos: Exploring how control and relationships influence adherence to HIV medication

Abstract

While many HIV-positive individuals with “chaotic” lives (e.g. unstable housing, substance use, etc.) have difficulty adhering to their antiretroviral therapy (ART), others have achieved successful adherence. We used focused ethnography to interview 14 HIV-positive individuals to learn why, despite their chaotic lives, they were able to achieve consistent ART adherence. Data revealed that participants felt that while they had little or no control over their life circumstances they recognized that, by taking their ART, they could have control over their HIV. Social services and health care providers must incorporate support for this sense of control in efforts to improve adherence

Keywords

• hiv/aids
• medication adherence
• control
• relationships
• health care
• focused ethnography