A comparative study of antiretroviral therapy assistance from parents and family members in Cambodia and Thailand

In both Cambodia and Thailand, efforts to augment Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) treatment adherence are being made within a ‘continuum of care’ framework. So far, focus has been mainly on the role of PLHA groups and peer assistance, and not so much emphasis has been placed on the part played by of family members.  The study assesses the role of parents and other family members in helping with treatment adherence among adult ART recipients in Cambodia and Thailand.

Conclusions:

• parents and other family members often live with or near ART patients and have emotional reasons for wanting the patient to achieve and maintain restored health
• family members are present not only on a day-to-day basis but also often at the specific time that medications need to be taken. They are thus ideally positioned to assist with treatment adherence over long periods of time
• they neither need nor expect financial compensation for their assistance. The only costs involved would be ones associated with providing sufficient information and training to enable them to carry out such assistance effectively
• it is unrealistic to expect PLHA peers or home based care teams from NGOs to assist on the same  continuous basis that family members could, but they could provide supplemental support including monitoring of the family’s situation and acting as intermediaries between the family and the health system