Experiences of HIV Positive Patients on ARV Treatment at the Thulamela Municipality in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Makoae et al. [1] stated that the development of antiretroviral (ARV) medications in the late 1990’s altered the face of HIV/AIDS, transforming it from a fatal disease into a chronic illness. According to Foundation of Professional Development (FPD) (2010) [2], since the use of the treatment, there have been records of impressive reduction in morbidity and mortality of Human Immune Deficiency Virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS), and the condition is now being treated as a manageable chronic condition. The success of ARV depends on the experiences of the HIV positive patient and the ability to make informed choices about the treatment [3]. In the United States of America (USA) and other parts of the developed world, HIV treatment has advanced rapidly through improved understanding of patients’ experiences [4].