Abstract

VIZEU CAMARGO, Brigido; BOUSFIELD, Andréa Barbará S.; GIACOMOZZI, Andréia Isabel  and  PAPALEO KOELZER, Larissa. Social representations and adherence to antiretroviral treatment. liber. [online]. 2014, vol.20, n.2, pp.229-238. ISSN 1729-4827.

This study aims to identify the social representations and the factors that influence in the adherence to antiretroviral treatment. The participants in the study were 154 people who were undergoing antiretroviral treatment, 82 men with an average age of 40 years and three months. The data was obtained through direct interviews and through a scale of adherence to antiretroviral treatment. The textual material in relation to the meaning of the treatment was analyzed by the IRAMUTEQ software. The treatment is represented in two concepts: First, from a normal life maintained by the idea of continuous and regular use of medications shared by people with high adherence to treatment. Second, as something which generates social suffering, and isolation, most characteristic of people with low/inadequate, and insufficient/regular adherence. Regarding the level of adherence, results showed than the 22.7% of the participants showed a high/strict adherence; and that the relationship with the doctor, health care equipment, and treatment information are related with a high/strict adherence to participant’s antiretroviral treatment.

Keywords : Aids; antiretroviral treatment; adherence; social representations.

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