Between empathy and anger: healthcare workers' perspectives on patient disengagement from antiretroviral treatment in Khayelitsha, South Africa - a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background & objectives

The benefits of long-term adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) are countered by interruptions in care or disengagement from care. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play an important role in patient engagement and negative or authoritarian attitudes can drive patients to disengage. However, little is known about HCWs' perspectives on disengagement. We explored HCWs' perspectives on ART disengagement in Khayelitsha, a peri-urban area in South Africa with a high HIV burden.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 HCWs in a primary care HIV clinic to explore their perspectives of patients who disengage from ART. HCWs interviewed included clinical (doctors and nurses) and support staff (counsellors, social workers, data clerks, security guard

SUBMITTER: Nhemachena T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9878968 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature