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Whoonga: Potential recreational use of HIV antiretroviral medication in South Africa
- Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Whoonga is a drug cocktail in South Africa rumored to contain illicit drugs and HIV antiretroviral (ARV) medication. Although its use may adversely impact adherence to HIV treatment and may have the potential to generate ARV resistance, there is a paucity of research characterizing whoonga. We learned of whoonga during semi-structured interviews about substance abuse and HIV risk at “club-events” known as inkwaris in an urban township of Durban, South Africa. Whoonga was an emerging theme spontaneously identified as a problem for the community by 17 out of 22 informants. Perceptions of whoonga suggest that it is highly addictive, contains ARVs (notably efavirenz), is used by individuals as young as 14, and poses a threat to the health and safety of those who use it, including increasing the risk of HIV infection. Our informants provide preliminary evidence of the dangers of whoonga and reinforce the need for further study.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Male
medicine.medical_specialty
Efavirenz
Social Psychology
Adolescent
Anti-HIV Agents
Substance-Related Disorders
media_common.quotation_subject
HIV Infections
Occupational safety and health
Article
Interviews as Topic
chemistry.chemical_compound
South Africa
Risk-Taking
Environmental health
Surveys and Questionnaires
medicine
Humans
Psychiatry
Qualitative Research
media_common
business.industry
Illicit Drugs
Addiction
Public health
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
virus diseases
medicine.disease
Substance abuse
Behavior, Addictive
Health psychology
Infectious Diseases
chemistry
Socioeconomic Factors
Whoonga
Female
business
Qualitative research
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....1f65ea06ac6b27a7ff241dfdd71e48c1