This report presents selected findings from a project conducted in collaboration between Fafo and University of Cape Town, AIDS and Society Research Unit. Through triangulated qualitative and quantitative research methods, we studied whether people living with HIV faced trade-offs between treatment adherence and grant termination. Many people living with HIV in South Africa received disability grants prior to the antiretroviral roll-out in 2004. When antiretrovirals improve their health, they stand to lose the grant. We explore three main issues; whether people living with HIV faced trade-offs between treatment adherence and grant termination, the role of the medical doctors, as well as some gender aspects for people living with HIV in South Africa. We find that while the antiretroviral roll-out is important, it is crucial to provide additional material resources, in order to make ‘positive living’ a reality. It is also important to understand that HIV-testing and disclosure have different implications for men and women. It requires tailored interventions to challenge stigma and encourage both men and women to test.
