Prevalence and factors associated with adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment at the Specialist Hospital Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) medication is an important predictor of a successful treatment and improvement of quality of life among People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). In the seven years before this study, several measures were taken to improve adherence to HAART among PLWHA at the study site, but no work has been published to establish the impact of the measures. We conducted a cross-sectional study among HIV-positive patients attending the antiretroviral clinic of State Specialist Hospital Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria, in October-December 2019. Adherence was measured using self-report and was defined as taking at least ≥95% of the prescribed doses of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in the seven days preceding the survey. A total of 431 PLWHA participated in the study. There was an 88.4% adherence rate, and forgetfulness (62.2%) was the most common reason for missing HAART dosages. Adherence was found to be 92.1% (p=0.017) among those who have been on HAART for ˃2 years, 92.3% (p=0.01) among those not afraid of stigma, and 92.9% (p=0.002) among those who practice Islamic faith. Other factors associated with higher adherence included age less than 34 years, 91.2% (p=0.167), income of ˂₦30,000 per month, 88.6% (p=0.858), and less educated, 90.5% (p=0.852). The study showed adherence prevalence was 88.4%. Forgetfulness was found to be the most common reason for missing HAART dosages. We therefore recommend the introduction of medication adherence reminders into the HIV programs.