Exploring the value and acceptability of peer support in the process of improving adherence to HIV antiretroviral drugs in Tanzania, Dar-es-Salaam

Abstract

Challenge: A way to understand and instruct on best practices for delivering and accepting HIV drug treatments in Africa. This transdisciplinary team focused on the problem of continuously rising levels of HIV drug resistance in Africa that as a result can lead to increased rates of mortality and morbidity. The main source of the HIV drug resistance problem is believed to be insufficient adherence to therapy. The challenge submitter suggested to explore whether improving the relationship between patient and health-care provider would be the next best step to improve adherence. However, after gathering knowledge from different sources, it was found that the burden on local doctors was already very high and would only increase in the coming years. A better relationship with the patient would be an extra burden on the time of health personnel. Instead, the team researched the feasibility of implementing peer support groups in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, as a possible way to increase patient adherence. With the creation of a questionnaire, a first step was taken in researching the value and acceptability of peer support groups in combating problems with adherence in regions where time constraints on skilled health workers limit possible interventions.