Adhering to antiretroviral therapy: A qualitative analysis of motivations for and obstacles to consistent use of antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV

OBJECTIVES: Based on the 2015 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 40% of people living with HIV in the United States with an HIV diagnosis and 18.5% of people living with HIV in HIV care in the United States are not virally suppressed. Many HIV care clinics have implemented recommendations to improve the percentage of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. To understand what more could be done, we examine patients’ motivations and obstacles to maintaining adherence to antiretroviral therapy. METHODS: We conducted qualitative analysis using a qualitative description framework of in-depth interviews with people living with HIV receiving care at an urban HIV care clinic in the midwestern United States. RESULTS: We found that while many traditional barriers to care have been addressed by existing programs, there are key differences between those consistent with antiretroviral therapy and those inconsistent with antiretroviral therapy. In particular, self-motivation, diagnosis acceptance, treatment for depression, spiritual beliefs, perceived value of the HIV care team, and prior experience with health care distinguish these two groups. Most significantly, we found that people living with HIV consistent with antiretroviral therapy describe their main motivation as coming from themselves, whereas people living with HIV inconsistent with antiretroviral therapy more often describe their main motivation as coming from the HIV care team. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the importance of the HIV care team’s encouragement of maintaining antiretroviral adherence, as well as encouraging treatment for depression.