Adhering to HIV treatment during adolescence: A multi method qualitative study in Uganda

Adhering to HIV treatment everyday for the rest of your life is difficult. This may be particularly acute for an adolescent coming to terms with their HIV status and managing the challenges of growing up with HIV. This qualitative study focused on the lived experience of HIV treatment adherence for adolescents in Uganda (aged 10-24) taking part in an international clinical trial. Our research explored the acceptability of short cycle therapy (SCT), 5 days on HIV treatment and 2 days off, to the trial participants' themselves. This involved conducted qualitative longitudinal data with young people participating in the trial and their carers using in-depth interviews, audio diaries and focus group discussions