VOLUME 18 (Supplement)

Knowledge, disposition, and adherence of Filipino health professionals living with human immunodeficiency virus on antiretroviral therapy: A sequential explanatory mixed methods study

While health professionals have specific roles in the care and treatment of clients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there is a growing cohort of health professionals with HIV (HPH) undergoing antiretroviral treatment (ART) in the Philippines. The study assessed the knowledge on, disposition towards, and adherence to ART of a select group of Filipino HPH (N=30). It likewise explored the lived experiedffffnce of a subset of 15 HPH undergoing ART. The study employed the explanatory sequential mixed methods of inquiry. It was conducted in a non-government HIV support center in the national capital of the Philippines. The purposive sample consisted of Filipino health professionals with non-occupational acquired HIV and who were undergoing ART. The study used the descriptive-correlational design for the quantitative phase. Data were collected using validated researchers-developed questionnaire. The qualitative phase generated from the results of the quantitative study employed the Husserlian phenomenology design. It used the face-to-face, in-depth, semi-structured interviews. The hypotheses were tested using Fisher’s statistics. Colaizzi’s method was used to analyze the qualitative data. Results of the study revealed that study participants have very high level of knowledge on and degree of dispositions towards ART and high level of adherence to ART. There were no statistically significant relationships among the measured variables. Overall, study participants identified drug-related, personal, and social factors that facilitate and deter their adherence to ART. Four themes emerged in the qualitative phase, namely: On ART, it is a struggle; For ART, it is a partnership; With ART, there is anchorage; and Through ART, there is valuing of self. Data integration indicates that participants’ positive disposition is a key determinant to their high level of ART adherence. Continued research and key policy changes could greatly improve health outcomes and quality of life for HPH.