Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39780229›Full record

ArticleAIDS research and therapy2025

Enablers of and barriers to ART adherence among female sex workers in mid-western Uganda: a qualitative study.

David Friday Apuulison, Brenda Nabawanuka, Michael Muhoozi, Julian Aryampa, Pauline Irumba, Edson Katsomyo, Moses Asiimwe, Joshua Epuitai, Pardon Akugizibwe, Wasswa George and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in AIDS research and therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

David Friday ApuulisonDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda.
Brenda NabawanukaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda. brendanabawanuka96@gmail.com.
Michael MuhooziResearch Department, Makerere University Center for Health and Population Research, Kampala City, Uganda.
Julian AryampaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda.
Pauline IrumbaDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda.
Edson KatsomyoDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda.
Moses AsiimweDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda.
Joshua EpuitaiDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Busitema University, P.O. Box 1460, Mbale City, Uganda.
Pardon AkugizibweDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda.
Wasswa GeorgeJoint Clinical Research Centre, Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital, Fort Portal City, Uganda.
John RubaihayoDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Mountains of the Moon University, P.O. Box 837, Fort Portal City, Uganda.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionFemale sex workers (FSWs) in Uganda experience numerous barriers to antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. We used the planned behavior theory to help explore the enablers and barriers to ART adherence among FSWs. Understanding the barriers to ART adherence may help contribute to the development of interventions to improve ART adherence among the FSWs. MATERIALS AND

methodsA descriptive qualitative study was conducted in Fort portal City. We conducted 30 in-depth interviews among FSWs who had been taking ART for at least six months. Furthermore, six key informant interviews were conducted with healthcare workers and leaders of the FSWs initiative. Data collection lasted for two months. Thematic deductive analysis was applied to analyse the data through the lens of the theory of planned behavior.

findingsThe attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influenced adherence to ART. Positive attitudes including perceived benefits of ART, and experiencing positive outcomes from taking ART were seen to enable its adherence. Subjective norms such as social support, disclosure of HIV status, seeing others take ART, and aspirations of longer life enabled ART adherence. Taking ART in the morning, responsive and respectful healthcare workers, and availability of food/basic needs facilitated compliance with ART adherence. Negative attitudes such as misconceptions and fear of side effects hindered ART adherence. Social disapproval of sex work and or HIV, lack of social support, gender-based violence, non-disclosure, stigma, and abandonment hindered the use of ART among FSWs. Socio-economic constraints (e.g., food scarcity), and occupation-related factors (substance use, incarceration, busy and predictable schedules, and abrupt migrations) were the additional barriers to ART adherence.

conclusionART adherence among FSWs was influenced by attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Addressing these barriers in ART adherence through targeted interventions could facilitate ART adherence and improve health outcomes among FSWs.

Indexed as

Anti-HIV AgentsHIV InfectionsMedication AdherenceQualitative ResearchSex WorkersAdultFemaleHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHumansMiddle AgedSocial StigmaSocial SupportUgandaYoung AdultAnti-HIV AgentsAdherenceARTFemale sex workersUganda

Identifiers

PMID39780229
PMCPMC11707844

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.