{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,30]],"date-time":"2026-09-30T11:05:06Z","timestamp":1790766306711,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":34,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"10","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2022,10,4]],"date-time":"2022-10-04T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1664841600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS ONE"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n<jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>HIV\/AIDS is now a chronic disease, as adherence to anti-retrovirals impacts positively on the quality as well as expectancy of life. However, there exist multifaceted barriers to treatments for which children are most disadvantaged. Since Ghana subscribed to the \u201ctreat all\u201d policy less percentage (25.5%) of children (2\u201314 years) living with HIV\/AIDS have been enrolled on the antiretroviral program compared to other categories of the population by 2019. At present no study has explored these barriers to children living with HIV\/AIDS enrollment and adherence. This study aims to explore the perceived barriers of caregivers of children living with HIV\/AIDS in the Tamale Metropolis.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n<jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>We used descriptive phenomenology to explore the phenomena. Caregivers were purposively selected and interviewed till information became repetitive at the ninth (9<jats:sup>th<\/jats:sup>) caregiver. A semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data through face-to-face in-depth interviews which were audio recorded. The interviews lasted an average of 47 minutes. Audio interviews were transcribed verbatim (English) and translated back-to-back (Daghani) before analysis was done manually according to Collaizi\u2019s seven-step approach. We used the Guba and Lincoln guidelines to ensure the rigour of the study and its findings. Results are presented in themes and supported with quotes.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n<jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Six themes emerged from the analysis of the caregivers\u2019 transcripts; (1) denial of HIV\/AID diagnosis, (2) stock-outs and privacy at the clinic, (3) busy schedule and poor support, (4) ignorance and alternative herbal cure, (5) stigma and discrimination, (6) transportation and distance.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>\n<jats:sec id=\"sec004\">\n<jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n<jats:p>Perceived barriers are multi-dimensional and encountered by all PLWHA, especially children. These barriers could derail the gains of HIV\/AIDS interventions among children. Adherence counselling among caregivers alongside campaigns among faith and herbal healers are of grave concern to reduce myths of cure.<\/jats:p>\n<\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0275529","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2022,10,4]],"date-time":"2022-10-04T17:28:08Z","timestamp":1664904488000},"page":"e0275529","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":13,"title":["\u201cSome believe those who say they can cure it\u201d perceived barriers to antiretroviral therapy for children living with HIV\/AIDS: Qualitative exploration of caregivers experiences in tamale metropolis"],"prefix":"10.1371","volume":"17","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5674-5613","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Gideon Awenabisa","family":"Atanuriba","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Felix","family":"Apiribu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Veronica Millicent","family":"Dzomeku","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Philemon Adoliwine","family":"Amooba","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Adwoa Bemah","family":"Boamah Mensah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Richard Adongo","family":"Afaya","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Timothy","family":"Gazari","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9369-2020","authenticated-orcid":true,"given":"Timothy Tienbia","family":"Laari","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Moses Haruna","family":"Akor","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Linda","family":"Abnory","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"340","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2022,10,4]]},"reference":[{"key":"pone.0275529.ref001","first-page":"9332","author":"E Kalomo","year":"2017","journal-title":"Health Care for Women International Depressive symptoms among older caregivers raising children impacted by HIV \/ AIDS in the Omusati Region of Namibia. 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