Abstract:
Introduction: Recent research has indicated ART medications require 70% to 90%
adherence to provide viral suppression. Other studies also indicate that the optimum
adherence level to achieve viral suppression is atleast 95% However, the challenge of
maintaining long-term ART treatment has been observed in recent studies.
Objective: This study assess the factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy
among HIV patients receiving treatment at selected polyclinics in Accra
Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data on adherence to ART
using structured questionnaire. The study’s population consisted of adults, infected with
HIV who received antiretroviral therapy in selected polyclinics in Accra metropolis. A
sampling frame which consisted of the details of all patients receiving ART was created
and participants were randomly selected from the prepared record of sampling frame.
Eligibility criteria was for adults who were18years and above, who have been given
antiretroviral therapy for at least six months and agreed to participate. STATA was used
to analyse the data. Stuctured questionnaire based on study objectives was used to assess
factors influencing adherence to ART.The association between community factors ,drug
related factors, health facility factors and patient factors affecting adherence and the level
of adherence were analyzed using multiple logistic regression model and odds ratio (OR)
with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Result: The adherence level of study participants was high (89.47%). Factors which were
found to be significant to adherence included instructions from clinician ( = 7.97, p –
value = 0.005)
, any method used as reminders ( ) value of 9.42 and a p – value of 0.001.
, encountered missed appointment,( = 3.69, p – value = 0.038) satisfied with
support( = 11.64, p – value = 0.009), knowledge about how medication interact with
substances( = 6.71, p – value = 0.01), missing drug is ok if healthy ( = 9.59, p – value
= 0.002), food not available, ( = 10.15, p – value = 0.03marital status
, ( = 13.94, p – value = 0.019) and ethnicity ( = 23.83, p – value = 0.000)
Conclusion: Adherence level of people living with HIV in selected Polyclinics in Accra
Metropolis is high as compared to other studies done in different part of the country. The
study established that patient related factors, drug related factors, health facility related
factors and community related factors were influential in determining adherence to ART
among people living with HIV
