Strict compliance is required for a sustained response to antiretroviral therapy for HIV. Several studies from the US have found that African-Americans are less compliant and are more liable to treatment failure than Caucasians. We describe a young, male refugee from Africa with treatment failure after non-compliance. A qualitative interview shows that his main reason for non-compliance is fear of disclosure and stigmatisation. There seems to be a need for research into the reasons for non-compliance among vulnerable groups and targeted interventions.

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Denmark male case report Humans Africa treatment refusal adult HIV Seropositivity Human immunodeficiency virus infection cultural factor psychological aspect ethnology Cultural Characteristics Article anti human immunodeficiency virus agent human Anti-HIV Agents