Documentary Examines Antiretroviral Therapy and Home-based Care in Ethiopia

JUNE 2005 — Family Health International has produced a 13-minute documentary on the link between home-based care and safe and effective provision of antiretroviral therapy (ART). The digital film documents the work of volunteer caregivers in Ethiopia as they help clients initiate and adhere to complex ART regimens. The film focuses on clients at home with their families and discusses the challenges they face adhering to ART as they grapple with nutrition, child care, income generation and other day-to-day issues.

In addition to interviews with clients and caregivers, the film includes interviews with Sister Tibebe Maco, executive director of the HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care and Support Organization; Dr. Ashenafi Haile, head of the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Office, Addis Ababa; Dr. Eyob Kamil, head of the Addis Ababa Regional Health Bureau; and Dr. Yigeremu Abebe, head of the ALERT Free ART Program. The documentary is of interest to HIV/AIDS programmers hoping to ensure adherence and minimize drug resistance as they expand ART provision.

For a copy of the film on DVD or Video CD, please contact aidspubs@fhi.org.

Video still: A home-based caregiver discusses HIV treatment with a client in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.