Asset Details
Do you wish to reserve the book?
Beliefs about HIV cure: A qualitative study of people living with HIV in Soweto, South Africa
Hey, we have placed the reservation for you!
By the way, why not check out events that you can attend while you pick your title.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place the reservation. Kindly try again later.
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
Beliefs about HIV cure: A qualitative study of people living with HIV in Soweto, South Africa
Do you wish to request the book?
Beliefs about HIV cure: A qualitative study of people living with HIV in Soweto, South Africa
Please be aware that the book you have requested cannot be checked out. If you would like to checkout this book, you can reserve another copy
We have requested the book for you!
Your request is successful and it will be processed during the Library working hours. Please check the status of your request in My Requests.
Oops! Something went wrong.
Looks like we were not able to place your request. Kindly try again later.
Journal Article
Beliefs about HIV cure: A qualitative study of people living with HIV in Soweto, South Africa
2025
Overview
BackgroundRare cases of HIV cure exist. Clinical trials of HIV cure are also underway. However, little is documented about how potential cures are perceived by African people living with HIV, although they are key stakeholders.ObjectivesWe explored knowledge, beliefs, and experiences about HIV cure in Soweto, South Africa.MethodWe conducted qualitative research with five stratified focus groups (N = 49). Consenting adults living with HIV were eligible. Facilitators asked participants about their knowledge of HIV cure, experience of purported cures, and beliefs about cure possibilities. Transcripts from audio recordings were thematically analysed.ResultsParticipants had knowledge of the concept of cure as eradication, not remission. Three main themes emerged about possible HIV cures. Firstly, hope and scepticism: people feared unequal access to technologies. Secondly, cultural and conventional approaches: there were beliefs in traditional healers, scepticism towards culturally purported cures (e.g. imbiza herbal tonic), and a desire for medical cures to obviate pill burdens. Thirdly, anticipated socio-behavioural effects: beliefs existed that cures might improve happiness, reduce emotional burdens of disclosure, facilitate HIV-free generations, increase risk behaviours, and reduce health checks, but not change societal attitudes to HIV.ConclusionIn Soweto, South Africa, people living with HIV hope for medical technologies – such as cure and long-acting treatments – to relieve the biopsychosocial burdens of chronic treatment. Despite treatment knowledge, some people try culturally purported cures for HIV. In HIV cure trials, consent language should avoid ‘cure’ when remission is meant. Care should address pill burden, and counselling should address sex, substances, exercise, and nutrition.
Publisher
AOSIS,African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS,AOSIS (Pty) Ltd,Southern African HIV Clinicians Society
Subject
