Characterizing the “HIV Care Adherence Journey” for Persons With HIV in the Philippines: Conceptual Foundation for Person-Centered Intervention

Abstract

Promoting adherence to HIV care among persons with HIV (PWH) is a key component to address the rising HIV epidemic in the Philippines. HIV care adherence is a complex process that may change throughout an individual's life course or “journey” living with HIV. This qualitative study aimed to explore the HIV care adherence journey of PWH. Maximum variation sampling was used in selecting 12 PWH and 3 health care providers for in-depth online interviews analyzed using thematic analysis. The four themes that emerged to describe the HIV care adherence journey are integration, relation, navigation, and manifestation. Each theme corresponds to a unique set of activities and goals related to PWH's lived experiences as they initiate, practice, and maintain care adherence. This study provides a preliminary framework to characterize the HIV care adherence journey as a dynamic, complex, and multifaceted phenomenon, which can help to inform holistic interventions to support PWH.