Individuals’ self administration of medication is an essential component of disease management
because incorrect and incomplete medication can result in increased morbidity, mortality and
healthcare costs and also spreads drug resistance. Its impact is necessarily wider than just
medical and includes the cultural and managerial considerations which govern success in medical
interventions. This review paper is aimed at how Nepalese cultural factors (beliefs, religious
practices, customs and traditions) may affect adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) medication
among people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS).
Results: Cultural factors (individual beliefs and perceptions) are notoriously complex concepts
and shape people’s identities and influence their attitude and behaviours. The individual
behaviours and beliefs about health and seeking treatment can adversely affect health care
utilization and adherence to medication. These factors create a complicated and unforgiving
environment for patients who are struggling to endure a chronic, life-threatening illness with
life-long treatment. We cannot disregard patients’ cultural beliefs or practices in order to
provide ARV treatment and their adherence because patients and clinicians come from different
cultural groups.
Conclusion: It is the purpose of this paper to contribute to the policy makers by exploring the
pertinent cultural factors relating to the uptake of ARV treatment and its adherence.