Document Type

Brief

Publication Date

2007

Abstract

While the clinical impact of receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) on individuals living with HIV is well documented, less is known about how the receipt of ART affects household economics. This analysis examined the direct and indirect effects of receiving ART on household economics. A direct effect is reduced spending on health services as a result of the improved health status of the household member on ART. The potential indirect effects include increased labor-force participation by the household member on ART, a change in how other household members spend their time (working or in school), and a shift in composition of household expenditures. This brief describes the experiences of a cohort of people living with HIV who were receiving ART through a program coordinated by the Coast Provincial General Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya. A longitudinal study of clients on ART found that perceived health improved, reported incidence of illness and use of health services declined, and labor-force participation increased within 12 months of initiating therapy.

DOI

10.31899/hiv12.1036

Language

English

Project

Horizons Program

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