Studies on the Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among HIV Patients Receiving Treatment in a Major HIV Care Unit in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria

Abstract

There has been great improvement in the life expectancy for HIV patients since the introduction of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). However, good adherence to regimen is important to surmounting health problems associated with HIV/AIDS. While availability of drugs and accessibility to it are important, many other social, psychological and clinical factors needed to be considered. This cross- sectional study seeks to determine adherence to ART among 441 patients living with HIV and attending the State Specialist Hospital, Akure for treatment. The participants included more females (79.1%) while the remaining 20.9% were males. Majority of the participants were married (71.2%) and 73.0% of them earn less than ₦18000 (about US$52) monthly. Only 29.7% of them enrolled for ART less than six (6) months to the commencement of the study. Adherence in this study was found to be 56% and was significantly related to age (χ2 = 14.31, P = 0.03), marital status (χ2 = 9.47, P = 0.01), medication burden (χ2 = 9.07, P = 0.01) and “ART type” (χ2 = 19.09,  P = 0.00). The adherence rate (56%) recorded in the study is however low and underscores the need for measures necessary in ensuring total adherence among people living with HIV in Ondo State Nigeria.