[772] ACCESSIBILITY OF HIV THERAPY TO WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

2nd International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment

Paris, France - July 13 - 16, 2003

[TITLE:] ACCESSIBILITY OF HIV THERAPY TO WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA

[AUTHOR(S):] CD Shumba and M Kwalombota
University of Zambia, School of Medicine, Lusaka, Zambia

IAS Conf HIV Pathog Treat 2003 Jul 13-16;2nd: Abstract No. 772
Antiviral Therapy 2003; 8(Suppl. 1):S400

[ABSTRACT:] Purpose of the study: To determine how women perceive accessibility of HIV therapy to them.

Experimental method: This was an explorative study in which questionnaires were administered to 170 women living with HIV/AIDS in Lusaka, Zambia. This study was conducted at the University Teaching Hospital with the help of the Voluntary Counselling and Testing centre.

Results: The age range of the women was 22–46 years (mean=26 years). 61.2% of the women were married and 77.1% of the women had either secondary or tertiary education. 71.2% had heard about HIV therapy, but did not know what it constituted or involved. 14.1% of the respondents had bought the drugs and are taking it. The common drugs bought are Indian generics. Reasons for not buying antiretroviral included; 85.3% said the drugs were expensive, 28.2% had not disclosed their status to their partners mainly due to fear of being blamed for the disease into the household. 62.3% felt they would rather spend on other family expenses. In addition, 67.6% were dependent on their spouses for income. 71.8% felt that the traditional role of a woman in society contributed to the having difficulties in obtaining HIV therapy.

Conclusion: The traditional role of an African woman makes it difficult for her access HIV therapy. This is further compounded by her being dependent on spouses and fear being stigmatized. Other factors are ignorance about therapy and general education.

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