Barriers to Medication and Treatment Adherence of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Metro Manila Area during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Phenomenological Study

Marian Milan  C. Bayaua,; Francine Louise  B. Clores,; Christine Fatima Nicole  M. Esplanada,; Reyah Crysztha  B. Fernandez,; Pranav  Kurva,; Rishabh  Mahanty,; Daniw Erika  C. Macarulay,; John Christian  M. Maniego,; Hrishikesh Satish  Pawar,; Karl Raymond  J. Perez,; Jian Larissa  M. Portacion,; Ritik  K. Rai,; Patricia Mae  S. Sepulveda,; Rhea Angelica  Jayma,

Barriers to Medication and Treatment Adherence of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Metro Manila Area during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Phenomenological Study

Discipline: Medicine

Abstract:

Strict quarantine protocols are necessary to contain the spread of Covid-19, however limited mobility imposes considerable barriers to vulnerable individuals such as people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). Therefore, it is necessary to document their experiences in order to provide the foundations for developing strategies for accessible medications. This study aims to determine the barriers to treatment adherence among PLHIV in Metro Manila during the lockdown (ie. ECQ, MCQ, and GCQ). Participant recruitment and data collection were conducted online. A total of ten male participants, ranging from twenty to sixty-five years old, residing in Metro Manila during lockdown, with stable internet access and Zoom application were included in the research. The online interview was semi-structured and the responses were transcribed and analyzed for emergent themes. The barriers identified were Psychological barrier, Social stigma, Treatment medication, Transportation, Financial constraint, and Systemic barrier. The major difference pre-lockdown and during lockdown were that issues in transportation and financial constraints worsened. The systems in place were unable to adapt to online means and required physical verification to provide aid, thus forcing PLHIV to leave their homes and risk exposure. In order to adapt to the new normal, this study finds that remote resources must be developed and explored to ameliorate financial and logistical concerns over health.

References:

Bilon XJ. Treatment and care for everyone: People living with HIV in the time of COVID-19. Philippines: United Nations Development Programme; 2020 April 6. 37 p. Report No.:1
Altice F, Evuarherhe O, Shina S, Carter G, Beaubrun AC. Adherence to HIV treatment regimens: systematic literature review and meta-analysis. Patient Prefer Adherence. [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2020 Dec 15];13:475-490. Available from: https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S192735
Jameson JL, Loscalzo. Harrison's principles of internal medicine. 19 ed. New York: McGraw Hill; 2015. 1393-1463.
Dzansi G, Tornu E, Chipps J. Promoters and inhibitors of treatment adherence among HIV/AIDS patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Ghana: Narratives from an underserved population. PLOS ONE [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2020 Dec 15];15(3). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0230159
Rueda S, Park-Wyllie LY, Bayoumi A, Tynan AM, Antoniou T, Rourke S, Glazier R. Patient support and education for promoting adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy forHIV/AIDS. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [Internet]. 2006 [cited 2020 Dec 15];3(CD001442):1465-1858. Available from: 10.1002/14651858.CD001442.pub2
Iacob SA, Iacob DG, Jugulete G. Improving the adherence to antiretroviral therapy, a difficult but essential task for a successful HIV treatment-clinical points of view and practical considerations. Frontiers in Pharmacology [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2020 Dec 15];8:1663-9812. Available from: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00831
Dorman RM, Sutton SH, Yee LM. Understanding HIV-Related Pill Aversion as a Distinct Barrier to Medication Adherence. Behavioral medicine (Washington, DC) [Internet]. 2019 Oct[cited 2021 Jun 18];45(4):294–303. Available from:http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mnh&AN=30605010&sit =ehost-live
Beyamo A, Bashe T, Facha W, Moshago T. Depression and associated factors among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending antiretroviral therapy at Wolaita Sodo university teaching and referral hospital, southern Ethiopia. HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2020;12:707–15.