‘My Live is Meaningful and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy’ Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) Who Live with HIV/AIDS; Mixed Method

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the distribution of meaning in life frequency and adherence to antiretroviral therapy
(ART) as well as to perceive and explore the association between meaning in life and adherence to
antiretroviral therapy (ART) of HIV-seropositive within MSM in Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia.
Method: This research used a mixed method with an approach of exploratory sequence design, which
was in quantitative stage through a cross-sectional design approach that intended to know the relationship
between variables. 102 sample size. In the qualitative stage, the researchers used the conceptual content
cognitive map (3CM) method as a data retrieval technique and then continued with the interview.
Results: Characteristics of MSM in West Sumatra more than half were gay with early adulthood who
were mostly on ART treatment less than one year. Almost all MSM were middle and upper educated, and
they worked in sixteen sectors of employment in which the private sector was the largest. Most MSM
had a meaningful life. More than half of MSM were discipline to go through ART treatment. There was a
significant correlation between the meaning in life and the adherence of ART p (0,000) with the identification
of several aspects that related to the meaning in life and ART adherence. They were spiritualism, lifestyle,
psychological, life purpose, life achievement, knowledge, and motivation.
Conclusion: The importance of meaning in life within HIV-seropositive MSM that might influence the ART
adherence. Therefore, the researchers recommend to conduct a compliance monitoring activity and provide
logotherapy for MSM whose life is not meaningful.