Table 4 Barriers to obtaining or adhering to ART
From: Seek, test, treat: substance-using women in the HIV treatment cascade in South Africa
| Theme | Specific itemsa | N | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missed appointments | Missed staging appointment, did not attend wellness appointment | 24 | 35.3 |
| Structural factors | Change in clinic, clinic not providing ART, lack of transportation, no identification card, no food, no place to store pills | 23 | 33.8 |
| Personal beliefs about ART and own readiness | Fear of side effects, fear to commit to daily dose, no need for ART, not feeling “ready,” too much trouble to pick up | 16 | 23.5 |
| In the process of obtaining ART | Pending CD4 results, need to schedule appointment, currently attending wellness appointment | 10 | 14.7 |
| Other medical issues and difficulties with dosage | Only took when pregnant, getting tuberculosis treatment, need alcohol and other drug treatment first, did not follow dosage, kept missing dosage | 7 | 10.3 |
| Interpersonal influence | Stigma, not disclosed HIV status, boyfriend | 5 | 7.4 |