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Does Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging Matter? Perceptions and Preferences of Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging for People Living with HIV in Northern Tanzania.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Muiruri, C; Jazowski, SA; Semvua, SK; Karia, FP; Knettel, BA; Zullig, LL; Ramadhani, HO; Mmbaga, BT; Bartlett, JA; Bosworth, HB
Published in: Patient Prefer Adherence
2020

INTRODUCTION: Despite improvements in treatment (eg, reduction in pill intake), antiretroviral therapy (ART) is dispensed in socially inefficient and uneconomical packaging. To make pills less conspicuous and decrease the risk of being stigmatized, people living with HIV (PLWH) often engage in self-repackaging - the practice of transferring ART from original packaging to alternative containers. This behavior has been associated with ART nonadherence and failure to achieve viral load suppression. While much of the literature on ART packaging has centered around medication adherence, patients stated preferences for ART packaging and packaging attributes that influence the observed ART nonadherence are understudied. METHODS: We conducted a qualitative study to elucidate perceptions of ART packaging among PLWH at two large referral hospitals in Northern Tanzania. Interviews were conducted until thematic saturation was reached. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and coded. RESULTS: Of the 16 participants whose data were used in the final analysis, a majority were between 36 and 55 years of age (Mean 45.5 years SD: 11.1), had primary-level education (n=11, 68.8%), were self-employed (n=9, 56.3%), reported that they had self-repacked ART (n=14, 88%), and were taking ART for more than 6 years (n=11, 68.8%). Participants identified three attributes of ART packaging that increased anticipated HIV stigma and prompted self-repackaging, including visual identification, bulkiness, and the rattling noise produced by ART pill bottles. CONCLUSION: Given the drastic reduction in the number of pills required for HIV treatment, there is an opportunity to not only assess the cost-effectiveness of innovative ART packaging but also evaluate the acceptability of such packaging among PLWH in order to address stigma and improve ART adherence.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Patient Prefer Adherence

DOI

ISSN

1177-889X

Publication Date

2020

Volume

14

Start / End Page

153 / 161

Location

New Zealand

Related Subject Headings

  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Muiruri, C., Jazowski, S. A., Semvua, S. K., Karia, F. P., Knettel, B. A., Zullig, L. L., … Bosworth, H. B. (2020). Does Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging Matter? Perceptions and Preferences of Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging for People Living with HIV in Northern Tanzania. Patient Prefer Adherence, 14, 153–161. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S238759
Muiruri, Charles, Shelley A. Jazowski, Seleman K. Semvua, Francis P. Karia, Brandon A. Knettel, Leah L. Zullig, Habib O. Ramadhani, Blandina T. Mmbaga, John A. Bartlett, and Hayden B. Bosworth. “Does Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging Matter? Perceptions and Preferences of Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging for People Living with HIV in Northern Tanzania.Patient Prefer Adherence 14 (2020): 153–61. https://doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S238759.
Muiruri C, Jazowski SA, Semvua SK, Karia FP, Knettel BA, Zullig LL, et al. Does Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging Matter? Perceptions and Preferences of Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging for People Living with HIV in Northern Tanzania. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2020;14:153–61.
Muiruri, Charles, et al. “Does Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging Matter? Perceptions and Preferences of Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging for People Living with HIV in Northern Tanzania.Patient Prefer Adherence, vol. 14, 2020, pp. 153–61. Pubmed, doi:10.2147/PPA.S238759.
Muiruri C, Jazowski SA, Semvua SK, Karia FP, Knettel BA, Zullig LL, Ramadhani HO, Mmbaga BT, Bartlett JA, Bosworth HB. Does Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging Matter? Perceptions and Preferences of Antiretroviral Therapy Packaging for People Living with HIV in Northern Tanzania. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2020;14:153–161.

Published In

Patient Prefer Adherence

DOI

ISSN

1177-889X

Publication Date

2020

Volume

14

Start / End Page

153 / 161

Location

New Zealand

Related Subject Headings

  • 4203 Health services and systems
  • 1103 Clinical Sciences