The Importance of Meanings of Antiretroviral Treatment and Care Providers for Adherence and Transitioning to Adult Services Among Youth With Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection

The transition from pediatric to adult services for youth with perinatally acquired HIV (PaHIV) is a critical period. A successful transition is key to ensuring patient treatment adherence as adults. Eighteen youths with PaHIV, aged 13-22, participated in two individual, semistructured interviews conducted 3 years apart. Results indicate that a key factor appearing to help youth in overcoming barriers to adherence and facilitating coping strategies is the way they perceive their medication: youth with positive perceptions are more likely to overcome the barriers than are those with negative perceptions, such as emphasis on the side effects and stigma associated with the medication. Positive relationships with health professionals allowed youth to face transitioning challenges. Interventions targeting PaHIV should focus on these issues.