Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Sep;10(9):6117-6124.
doi: 10.1002/nop2.1833. Epub 2023 May 20.

A phenomenological study of the beliefs of family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS on adherence to antiretroviral therapy

Lilian Yiryuo  1   2 , Wahab Osman  2   3 , Stephen Kpekura  4
Affiliations

A phenomenological study of the beliefs of family caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS on adherence to antiretroviral therapy

Lilian Yiryuo et al. Nurs Open. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Aim: To explore the beliefs of family caregivers on adherence to Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) among children living with HIV/AIDS that received care at St. Joseph's Hospital, Jirapa, Ghana.

Design: A qualitative phenomenological design was employed for this study.

Method: Data was gathered using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide from 13 family caregivers of children with HIV/AIDS on ART. Analysis was done using the reflexive thematic analysis approach.

Results: Three major themes were generated during the analysis: "Beliefs regarding the effectiveness of ART"; "Beliefs regarding taking ART"; and "Beliefs regarding other treatments for HIV/AIDS". Most caregivers believed that the ARTs were effective and improved their children's health, especially when adhered to strictly. Some, however, believed in praying to God for healing, and the use of local/herbal to augment ARTs.

Conclusion: Family caregivers generally hold positive beliefs about ARTs and its effectiveness for their children. Some, however, believe in spirits, prayers, and herbal/local treatment in addition to ARTs.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS; adherence; antiretroviral therapy; beliefs; children; family caregiver.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Thematic map on the beliefs of caregivers about taking anti‐retroviral therapy (ART).
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
Thematic map of the Beliefs of Caregivers on other Treatments for HIV/AIDS.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Abongomera, G. , Cook, A. , Musiime, V. , Chabala, C. , Lamorde, M. , Abach, J. , Thomason, M. , Mulenga, V. , Kekitiinwa, A. , Colebunders, R. , Kityo, C. , Walker, A. S. , & Gibb, D. M. (2017). Improved adherence to antiretroviral therapy observed among HIV‐infected children whose caregivers had positive beliefs in medicine in sub‐Saharan Africa. AIDS and Behavior, 21(2), 441–449. 10.1007/s10461-016-1582-8 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Akahara, C. , Nwolisa, E. , Odinaka, K. , & Okolo, S. (2017). Assessment of antiretroviral treatment adherence among children attending Care at a Tertiary Hospital in southeastern Nigeria. Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2017, 1–4. 10.1155/2017/3605850 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Biru, M. , Lundqvist, P. , Molla, M. , Jerene, D. , & Hallström, I. (2015). Surviving overwhelming challenges: Family caregivers lived experience of caring for a child diagnosed with HIV and enrolled in antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia. Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Nursing, 38(4), 282–299. 10.3109/01460862.2015.1079278 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Braun, V. , & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. 10.1191/1478088706qp063oa - DOI
    1. Braun, V. , & Clarke, V. (2020). Does one size fit all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 2020(3), 328‐352. 10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238 - DOI