Attitudes to ARV access and factors undermining HIV/AIDS prevention. Lessons from the 2008 Tsabong stigma case study (Botswana)

Abstract

Access to antiretroviral drugs among the people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana remains a possible panacea only if optimally utilized. The research, explorative and qualitative in design, used an interview guide for focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Findings indicate that prevention is compromised by: poverty driving some people to prostitution; increased libido effect of the ARVs; cultural and huge gender inequalities; alcohol intake and repeated pregnancies of those on ARVs, and use of biomedical and traditional healers' services in tandem. Suggestions and recommendations to the government, NGOs and care-friendly organisations to consider addressing all these challenges have been made.