Integrating Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Into Children's Daily Lives: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The data suggest that coping with HIV and the process of establishing good adherence may be interrelated. Caregivers who accept the disease may be more likely to internalize the received information and thus develop a stronger motivation to fight for the child's life. Problem-solving skills sustain this adherence, and medication becomes a priority in the adherent caregivers' daily lives. On the contrary, less-adherent caregivers may be situated at less advanced stages of the coping process. Thus, tailor-made approaches adapted to the individual HIV-related coping strategies need to be developed to improve adherence in children and caregivers.