Non–Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment by People Living with HIV/AIDS in Black Communities in South Africa: Socio-Cultural Challenges

Abstract

A disproportionately high number of poor black population living in both rural and urban areas in South Africa, experience barriers to accessing ARVs, despite the efforts made by the government. Various scholars cite that cultural beliefs, poverty, witchcraft, lack of family support, gender-based violence and substance abuse derail the progress of HIV treatment programmes. This paper, therefore discusses the challenges faced by PLWHA with the aim to provide an integrated approach to strengthen the support base required for adherence to ARV treatment. The findings show that due to discrimination PLWHA experience the side-effects, depression and other opportunistic infections such Kaposi’s sarcoma, even death, leaving children as orphans. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n14p450