ARV treatment and discharge of patients with HIV

ARV treatment is free, accessible and effective for HIV patients. However, patients on ARVs leave the care circuit with recurrence in Côte d'Ivoire. The objective of this research is to analyse the factors influencing the discharge of patients on ARVs. Thirty individual interviews were conducted in the ten communes of the city of Abidjan with patients on ARVs who had been lost to follow-up and those still on ARVs selected from the health facilities. The daily activities before accessing the health care structures, means of travel, the care relationship, the relationship to the medical protocol and the social relationships of the patients (family and immediate entourage) were analysed. The age of the patients varied between 25 and 60 years and was dominated by the 35-40 year age group. The respondents practised liberal activities. More than 3/4 were women. Only 1/3 of them could not read or write. Overall, the respondents had at least 3 years of experience using ARVs. Obstacles related to daily activities, travel difficulties, care relationships fostered stigmatization of the patients.