Exploring the experiences of adult offenders living with HIV on pre-antiretroviral therapy program at the Losperfontein Correctional Centre

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of adult offenders living with HIV (OLWHIV) not qualifying for antiretroviral therapy (ART). Such offenders are put on the pre-antiretroviral therapy (pre-ART) program after HIV diagnosis. Follow up of OLWHIV is done every six months to ensure prompt treatment. Research objectives include exploration of experiences of OLWHIV on the pre-ART program, the accessibility of the program and the challenges thereof. An exploratory, qualitative study with face-to-face interviews was conducted. Purposive sampling of the eight participants was done to conduct the study. Seven out of eight participants accessed the pre-ART program well but had little knowledge of the pre-ART program. Furthermore, participants experienced little support from partners and health care workers. The study showed institutional constraints such as poor diet, shortage of staff and humiliation from Correctional officers. Participants portrayed commitment in the support group irrespective of the challenges experienced. The study further showed that the self-care theory could enhance the pre-ART program but that institutional constraints deterred the progress. Participants made recommendations such as strengthening of partnerships for support groups, good diet, and an increase of staff capacity. Overall study recommendations include implementation of universal test and treat and mixed methods for future studies.