Social support and postpartum adherence to HIV treatment: a community-based participatory research study in Russia

Abstract

Background There are over 1 million people living with HIV in Russia, and less than half of them are on antiretroviral treatment (ART). Earlier in the epidemic, Russia was successful in implementing prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes; however, there is a gap in knowledge about postpartum adherence to ART among women living with HIV (WLHIV). The objective of our research study was to identify which factors are associated with postpartum engagement in HIV care and treatment in Russia. Methods We conducted a community-based participatory research study in five Russian cities. We surveyed 200 WLHIV who had given birth within the previous 24 months about their use of ART. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine which types of social support are associated with adherence to ART in the postpartum period. Results Less than half (40%) of mothers reported being adherent to ART. Multivariable analysis showed that having a supportive family environment [aOR = 2.64, 95% CI (1.91–5.83)], and active engagement with other HIV-positive mothers [aOR = 2.20, 95% CI (1.04–4.66)] were positively associated with postpartum adherence to ART. WLHIV who had more than one child were less likely to be adherent then WLHIV with just one child [aOR = 0.44, 95% CI (0.22–0.91)]. Conclusion The support that new mothers have or do not have can play an important role in WLHIV adherence to ART. The findings from our study provide ideas for improving the likelihood that women will continue to engage in HIV treatment and care after pregnancy.

Self-awareness as the key to successful adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV in Indonesia: A grounded theory study

“…Social support from a spouse, such as taking care of children, facilitated medication adherence and retention of HIV care. This finding is consistent with research reported in other countries (King et al, 2021 ; Maragh-Bass et al, 2021 ; Mi et al, 2020 ; Oliveira et al, 2020 ). In addition, receiving love and support from family members, including spouses, can facilitate participants’ adherence to their medication (Mi et al, 2020 ).…”

“…In addition, receiving love and support from family members, including spouses, can facilitate participants’ adherence to their medication (Mi et al, 2020 ). In previous studies, adequate support and a positive mindset have been shown to enhance ART adherence (King et al, 2021 ; Maragh-Bass et al, 2021 ; Oliveira et al, 2020 ). This finding is essential in Indonesian society, where the concept of family responsibility is highly valued.…”

Trend of HIV Prevalence in Antenatal Women in a Tertiary Care Hospital in the Western Region of India

“…Also, it was noted that all 50 seropositive women remained adherent to ART during the antenatal period, but 12 became nonadherent postnatally (lost to follow-up). Hence, ART adherence postnatally and in later life is a challenge as compared to the antenatal period, which was also found in similar studies from Russia and various other countries [14,15]. All the children born of the index pregnancy, when the testing was done, tested negative for HIV, as ART was started during the antenatal period and necessary measures for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission were taken.…”

Lower probability of viral suppression in people living with HIV who are parents in Lima, Peru

“…In our study, pregnancy was the most frequent reason for HIV diagnosis in women. In many cases, childbirth occurs during the stage of initial coping thus probably prior to disclosure to the trusted extended family, reducing the offer and request of support due to stigma [37][38][39][40]; however, we did not collect disclosure data. This aspect might explain the association between non-viral suppression and childbirth during the first year of follow-up described.…”