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Common problems with antiretroviral therapy among three Swedish groups of HIV infected individuals

Amadou Jallow1, Sofia Kälvemark Sporrong, Lilian Walther-Jallow

  • 1Apoteket Källan, Box 64, 14501 Norsborg, Sweden. amadou.jallow@apoteket.se

Pharmacy World & Science : PWS
|March 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) presents unique challenges for different HIV-positive groups in Sweden, including social stigma and medication management issues. Addressing these specific patient needs is crucial for improving treatment adherence and outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • HIV infection remains a significant global health concern.
  • Combination antiretroviral therapy (CART) is the cornerstone of HIV management.
  • Understanding patient-reported challenges is vital for optimizing treatment adherence and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and compare common problems faced by distinct HIV-positive populations undergoing CART in Sweden.
  • To investigate challenges experienced by homo- or bisexual individuals, former injecting drug users, and individuals of Sub-Saharan African origin.

Main Methods:

  • A problem detection study (PDS) was employed.
  • In-depth interviews informed questionnaire design.
  • 195 HIV-positive patients in major Swedish cities participated, yielding a 79% response rate.

Main Results:

  • Common issues across all groups included public stigma, concerns about disease progression or treatment failure, medication-related problems, and pharmacy visit difficulties.
  • Specific challenges varied: homo- or bisexual individuals faced drug-related issues (adverse effects, pill burden), former injecting drug users dealt with family conflicts and psychosocial burdens, and individuals of African origin feared medication exposure revealing their HIV status.

Conclusions:

  • Findings highlight the need for tailored pharmacy care for diverse HIV-positive patient groups.
  • General adherence strategies must be supplemented with group-specific interventions.
  • Further research on interventions promoting concordance and adherence is essential to prevent treatment failure and viral resistance.
Abstract

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