ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AMONG HUMAN IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS INFECTED PATIENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN TEACHING HOSPITAL, ILORIN. NIGERIA.
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Family Medicine, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital **Palliative Care Unit, Department of Anaesthesia, ***Department of Epidermiology and Community Health, ****Department of Microbiology and Parasitology *****Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ilorin / University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital. Ilorin. Nigeria
Abstract
Background: When people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) are able to meet its challenging adherence requirements, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can be a nearly miraculous drug regimen that drastically reduces viral replication and damage to the immune system, restores daily functioning and well being.
Objectives: The study sought to determine the rate and sociodemographic factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Also to find associations between adherence and some clinical parameters among HIV infected patients attending lentiviral clinic at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey of a randomly selected 250 HIV infected adult patients who were on antiretroviral therapy for a minimum of three months under the Federal Government of Nigeria’s free drugs programme. Self-reported adherence and other data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.
Results: Adherence rate to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected patients was 90%. Knowledge of respondents about adherence and the increase in CD4 counts were significantly associated with adherence level. An assessment of the relationship between rate of adherence and socio-demographic factors revealed that there were no statistically significant associations.
Conclusion: The high rate of adherence was largely attributed to free drugs provided by the clinic, free CD4 counts and other investigations, regular health talk and adherence counseling provided by a high level man-power.
Description
Keywords
Adherence, Human Immunodeficiency Virus, People Living with HIV/AIDS, Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital