Context counts: Investigating pain management interventions in HIV-positive men living in a rural area

Background Pain remains a prevalent and burdensome complaint for people living with human immunodeficiency virus and/or aquired immunodeficiency syndrome (LWHA). Positive Living (PL), a multimodal pain intervention, reduced pain in female South Africans LWHA. We investigated the efficacy of the PL programme in South African males living with human immunodeficiency virus and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (MLWA) in a rural community.Aim To determine the effects of a multimodal pain intervention in MLWHA.Setting Various primary care clinics in Manguzi, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.Methodology Therapeutic relationship (TR) intervention alone or in combination with the PL programme were allocated to HIV-positive men between the ages of 18–40. Pain intensity and interference were the primary outcome measures. Secondary outcome measures included physical function, health-related quality of life, depressive symptoms and self-efficacy.Results Forty-seven men (mean age 35 ± 3 years) were recruited with baseline mean pain severity of 5.02 (± 3.01) and pain interference of 4.6 (± 3.18). Nineteen men were allocated to the TR intervention alone, 28 were allocated to the TR intervention and PL programme. Attendance at the intervention sessions varied from 10% to 36%. No changes in any outcomes were recorded.Conclusion Poor attendance at the intervention and follow-up sessions make these results an unreliable reflection of the intervention. Contextual factors including internal migration and issues around employment were identified. These may influence healthcare utilisation for MLWHA living in rural settings.Contribution Unmet healthcare needs of MLWHA in a rural community have been identified. If we are to ‘leave no one behind’, healthcare interventions should account for context and be ‘rural-proofed’.