Abstract:

Antiretroviral therapy(ART) has been used to reduce morbidity and mortality of the HIV positive patients. However, an excellent therapeutic outcome of CD4 count >500 cells/mm³ with ART requires ≥ 95% adherence to therapy. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with adherence to ARV among children in an ART programme. A retrospective study was conducted for four months between the periods of March to June 2018 in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria. The adherence was measured using pre-tested, structured self administered questionaire. Adherence was defined as no missed Antiretroviral dose in the previous three days of therapy. The effects of factors such as level of education, type of caregiver, duration on therapy, proper education of caregiver, method of passing information on drug dosage and side effects, continuing education and support from health professionals on adherence were tested. Adherence level of HIV positive children was 69 %. Factors such as level of education, type of caregiver, duration on therapy, proper education(benefits of treatment and adverse effects of drug), method of passing information on drug dose and side effects, continuing education and support from health professionals on adherence investigated were found not to relate statistically significantly with adherence to ART. Therapy adherence level of HIV positive children was sub optimal. The type of caregiver, physician’s behavoir and other factors did not show significant relationship with adherence. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy(ART) is closely associated with viral suppression and prevent progression to AIDS and death.

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