False beliefs about ART effectiveness, side effects and the consequences of non-retention and non-adherence among ART patients in Livingstone, Zambia
Nozaki, I.; Kuriyama, M.; Manyepa, P.; Zyambo, M.K.; Kakimoto, K.; Bärnighausen, T.
Aids and Behavior 17(1): 122-126
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1573-3254 PMID: 22714115 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-012-0221-2Document Number: 572244
Beliefs about antiretroviral treatment (ART) are crucial for treatment success but not well documented in sub-Sahara African countries. We studied the frequency of false beliefs about ART in 389 ART patients in Livingstone, Zambia. Despite intensive pre-ART counseling, we find that more than half of the patients hold at least one false belief about ART effectiveness, side effects, or the consequences of ART non-retention or non-adherence. Commonly held false beliefs-e.g., pastors can cure HIV infection through prayer and ART can be stopped without harmful effects while taking immune-boosting herbs-are likely to decrease ART adherence and retention.
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