Treatment issues for HIV plus Africans in London

Black Africans are the second largest group of HIV/AIDS service users in Lo ndon, UK. They are distinguished from other patient groups by their delay i n access to services and appear to have a lower uptake of antiretroviral th erapies. This study explores the treatment issues concerning black Africans which may affect their uptake of therapies. Issues raised included questio ns about if and when to start treatment, fears of side-effects both short a nd long term, awareness of the current uncertainties surrounding combinatio n therapies and concerns about how to achieve compliance. The social circum stances of HIV positive black Africans living in London together with diffe rences in cultural beliefs and experience of health care in the UK give ris e to particular treatment concerns. These concerns include the fear of bein g experimented upon, lack of confidence in drugs tested only on Caucasians, distrust of the medical profession and fears of discrimination. Efforts to encourage the uptake of antiretroviral therapies by black Africans in Brit ain must take into account the particular experiences, fears and concerns o f this patient group. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.