Abstract

With an average seroprevalence rate of 7.17%, Burkina Faso had about 350 000 persons living with HIV by the end of 1999, 46 000 of whom would die of AIDS during the same year. Currently, some 100 AIDS sufferers are cared for in the community context and receive antiretroviral treatment. Despite a downward trend in the price of antiretroviral drugs, most people living with HIV cannot afford to buy them at the pharmacy. This usually results in an interruption of treatment or in suboptimal use of the drugs leading to a major risk of resistance. Most obtain treatment through personal contacts or donations administered by community organizations. The situation is compounded by a sizeable black market, where antiretroviral drugs are used in an unorthodox way. The purpose of this project is to increase access to treatment for HIV infection. This means strengthening research capability and appealing to community participants currently active in caring for persons with HIV. The results of the study will be used to develop and manage projects aimed at increasing access to treatment by the most destitute.

Recipient Institution(s)