Table 6.

Facilitator Quotations

Facilitator	LTC or EIC	Quote
Desire to Live	EIC	“A desire to live keeps me taking my medications.” (Male, 33) “It was a strong desire to live – We were weak, but all of a sudden, I learned that ART would prolong my life. I took it and started to improve.” (Female, 26) “My little one is an incentive.” (Female, 36)
	LTC	“I’ve decided to live to the age of 80 like all my relatives.”(Male, 60)
Social Support	EIC	“My daughter reminds me–She doesn’t understand what kind of pills. My husband too.”(Female, 36) “My loved ones remind me.”(Male, 29) “No one has rejected me. I’m grateful.”(Male, 32) “Many friends who know about my status are supportive, and I don’t experience negativity.”(Male, 28) “Support from friends means a lot.”(Male, 35) “I ask my friends to call and text me. Peers and support groups in the hospital helped me. I have new interests and new friends. I try to help others… accept their diagnosis.”(Female, 26) “I joined a support group, and many are aware of my status – I’m comfortable, which enhanced my adherence – It’s the support of the people around me.”(Male, 29) “We keep an eye on each other taking lifelong medications.”(Male, 28) “I use the internet to find and exchange pills with friends.”(Female, 33) “I borrowed pills from others. I was helped by peers and support groups in hospital. I have new interests and new friends. I try to help others.”(Male, 34)
	LTC	“Sometimes, loved ones remind us to take medications and ask how we’re feeling. It’s annoying.” (Male, 39)
Spirituality	EIC	“I got baptized at 24, and my life changed. I became a different person. I became strong. I went to church and saw a Priest. He gave education about HIV. He told people to take ART. Everyone at the church loves him. The church really helps me.”(Female, 26) “I like Mantras in the evening to get rid of negative energy.”(Male, 28) “I’m an Atheist, but in the hospital, there was a chapel, and people prayed there, and I saw they were helped.”(Male, 40)
	LTC	“Going to church made me feel better. When I found out I had HIV, I was looking for ways to cope, and I tried to go to church once or twice per week, and this made me feel much better.”(Female, 24)
Healthy/Drug Free Lifestyle	EIC	“For a long time, I was on drugs. But once I got clean, I got to know people who were taking good care of themselves, taking medicine, and I learned from them.”(Male, 29)
	LTC	“The change was: I got sober and started thinking more of my health. I was also imprisoned and evaluated my health behind bars. I want to live for 5 more years. I’m sober now. I need to know what’s going on in my body, and when the times comes when to start therapy, but I need to know for sure the time is right.”(Male, 36) “We increase our fruit and vegetable intake and do physical exercise.”(Female, 33)
Positive Thinking about ART	EIC	“Nine months after my diagnosis, I was ready for acceptance. I have a positive attitude. I like to be seen by my doctor. She’s there for me. I take medications for my own sake.”(Male, 28) “I was upset but decided not to focus on the negative.”(Male, 36)- “I’m sure that positive attitude improves immunity. Medications help without any doubt. It’s better not to miss; if I forget to take a pill, I will take it hours later.”(Male, 40) “I take ART due to improved quality of life. We can’t give the virus any opportunity.”(Male, 33) “HIV medications are my life… a continuation of my life.”(Male, 57) “Taking medications is like a lifestyle.”(Male, 35) “ARTs are important to be able to live.”(Female, 33) “If I miss doses, I may develop resistance.”(Female, 26)
	LTC	“I try NOT to think about my HIV. I just accept it.”(Female, 33) “I have no time to think about my HIV. I try to stay busy not to think about it. I have no emotions related to quitting treatment.”(Female, 33)
Positive Experiences with ART	EIC	“Taking my medications is based on experience. I observed positive effects, so it kept me taking my medications.”(Male, 32) “All of the sudden, I learned that medications will prolong my life – I took medications and started to improve.”(Female, 26)
Positive Experiences with Healthcare/Professionals	EIC	“I’ve been attending group for years – this is where I learn everything – pre – post-test counseling, diagnosis, prognosis… They referred me to a social worker, and I started to improve. This is where I spend my leisure time.”(Male, 29) “At the ____, there was no difficulty. I like my doctor. She is there for me. I take medicine for my own sake.” (Male, 28) “For half a year, I lived in Southern Russia – for the first time I got a 3 month supply. I gave power of attorney to my friend, and he picked them up for me.”(Male, 40) “I am able to call my doctor. My friends help me to pick up pills.”(Female, 33) “Support and explanation relieves my tension around taking medications.”(Female, 33)