A Brief Report on a Fatigue Management Programme for Women with HIV in Khayelitsha: Effects on Antiretroviral Adherence and Activity Performance

Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom for women living with HIV in South Africa, adversely affecting antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and daily activity performance. Accessible, community-based interventions are required. This brief report aimed to implement and evaluate a culturally adapted fatigue management education programme for women with HIV in Khayelitsha, Cape Town. The primary objectives were to assess its effects on self-reported ART adherence and perceived performance of daily activities. A pre-post intervention design was used. Participants were women attending a community health clinic who reported significant fatigue. They attended a four-week, group-based fatigue management programme led by an occupational therapist. Data on ART adherence and self-rated activity performance were collected via questionnaire at baseline and upon programme completion. Findings indicated a positive trend following the intervention. Self-reported ART adherence improved, with the proportion of participants reporting optimal adherence (≥95% of doses) increasing from 45% to 78%. Participants reported reduced fatigue-related interference in daily tasks, particularly in household management and community participation. A structured, occupational therapy-led fatigue management programme shows promise for improving ART adherence and activity performance in women living with HIV in a South African township context. The programme was feasible and well-received. Further research with a larger sample and a control group is recommended to establish efficacy. Integrating such programmes into routine community health services for people living with HIV should be considered. HIV, fatigue, occupational therapy, antiretroviral therapy, adherence, activity performance, South Africa This brief report contributes preliminary evidence supporting the role of occupational therapy in managing HIV-related fatigue within a low-resource community context to improve health and occupational outcomes.