Sub-theme: barriers to long term adherence
forgetfulness, acute illness
DRUG INTERACTION
Barriers to adherence reported by some mothers were: forgetfulness mainly at the time of lamivudine initiation, non-disclosure and fear of stigma.“When it’s time to give your child medication, you will not give because of the person next to you who you have not opened up to.” (Mother 22 yrs; FGD)One mother also reported missing doses for fear of a drug interaction when the baby was being treated for an acute illness.The mothers, counseled by PROMISE-EPI staff, developed strategies to improve adherence to lamivudine (Barriers to extended use of lamivudine and strategies to overcome them.PNP: post-natal prophylaxis; ARVs: antiretrovirals.“Some of us we do not work, we just sell by the roadside, and I make sure I do not forget to administer the medication before going for orders.” (Mother 32 yrs; FGD)To cope with the stigma, some mothers asked for help from relatives. Others disguised the medicine, e.g., one mother confessed to filling a bottle of paracetamol with lamivudine.“I had challenges giving the medicine at the beginning due to lack of disclosure, I got a Panadol bottle and put in lamivudine.” (Mother 39 yrs; FGD)