Ambivalent experiences of people in treatment for tuberculosis-HIV coinfection: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Abstract This study examined the scientific literature, by means of a systematic review with meta-synthesis (PROSPERO No. CRD42023410141), to discover the experiences of people undergoing treatment for tuberculosis-HIV coinfection. Ten databases and reference lists were searched for original articles with qualitative data, published in Portuguese, English and/or Spanish up to 2022. The 11 studies included yielded a meta-theme comprising four themes: (i) tuberculosis-HIV coinfection diagnosis and treatment have impact on the life of the affected person; (ii) personal, social and economic vulnerabilities overlap in people with tuberculosis-HIV coinfection; (iii) medication burden and programmatic weaknesses hinder the treatment of tuberculosis-HIV coinfection; and (iv) support networks and care flows facilitate treatment of tuberculosis-HIV coinfection. Due to the diagnosis, people with tuberculosis-HIV coinfection raise biopsychosocial needs which, associated with weaknesses in health services and practitioners, adversely affect their quality of life and treatment adherence. However, social, family and health care support were revealed to be important to stimulating (self-)care and providing appropriate treatment.