Adherence to Antiretroviral therapy among Human Immunodeficiency Virus infected patients at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria.
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Date
2015
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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.