Exploring the acceptability of a visual intervention to improve paediatric adherence to antiretroviral therapy in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Near-perfect levels of adherence are required by children five years and younger on ART in orderto achieve optimal treatment outcomes. Caregivers of children on ART are fundamental in ensuringtheir child achieves high levels of adherence, as they are responsible for administering medicationto the child. Caregivers require the necessary adherence-related information, motivation, andbehavioural skills to ensure their child remains adherent to ART. However, these components areoften affected by caregiver, child, and medication regimen characteristics, as well as contextual andhealthcare related factors. Whilst there are a number of children who are non-adherent to ART,effective interventions targeted at this age group are not available. Visual interventions, such as thePetrie device demonstration developed in accordance with the IMB-model, has shown potential inenhancing medication adherence, and may be appropriate for use with caregivers of children onART.In this study, I explored the acceptability of the Petrie device demonstration with caregiversof young children on ART. Participants included in the study were eleven caregivers to childrenfive years and younger on ART, attending outpatient clinics within the City of Cape TownMunicipality, South Africa. Data describing participants' understanding and beliefs of their child'sdiagnosis and treatment, medication knowledge, and adherence-related factors were collected usingquestionnaires. Interviews and a brief questionnaire were used to determine how participantsreacted to the device after seeing it. The quantitative data was analysed using descriptive analysesThematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data.Participants reported high levels of adherence despite experiencing various barriers toadherence. The Petrie device demonstration was found to be acceptable to participants. Thedemonstration increased adherence-related knowledge and motivation, which led to someparticipants suggesting changes in medication administration behaviour that they intended toimplement. As the demonstration may prove effective in enhancing adherence to ART, futureresearch should be conducted to determine the efficacy of the device in doing so. Whilst the demonstration appears suitable for use as part of routine clinical practice, aspects of implementationand feasibility require further work.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University