Factors Affecting Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV/AIDS Patients Receiving Treatment at Selected Poly Clinics in Accra Metropolis

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