Facilitators And Barriers To Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Adolescents In Ghana

dc.contributor.authorAnkrah, D.N.A.
dc.contributor.authorAnkrah, E.S.
dc.contributor.authorMantel-Teeuwisse, A.K.
dc.contributor.authorArhinful, D.K.
dc.contributor.authorAgyepong, I.A.
dc.contributor.authorLartey, M.
dc.date.accessioned2019-01-16T14:35:00Z
dc.date.available2019-01-16T14:35:00Z
dc.date.issued2016-03-15
dc.descriptionArticleen_US
dc.description.abstractIntroduction: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is known to be challenging among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS, notwithstanding the life-saving importance of this therapy. Of the global total number of adolescents living with HIV in 2013, 83% reside in sub-Saharan Africa. The study aimed to identify facilitators of and barriers to antiretroviral treatment adherence among adolescents in Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional qualitative study using semi-structured interviews for data collection was carried out among adolescents (aged 12–19 years) at the adolescents HIV clinic at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Predominantly open-ended questions relating to ART were used. Interviews were done until saturation. In total, 19 interviews were conducted. Analysis was done manually to maintain proximity with the text. Findings: The main facilitators were support from health care providers, parental support, patient’s knowledge of disease and self-motivation, patient’s perceived positive outcomes, and dispensed formulation. The identified barriers were patient’s forgetfulness to take medicines, perceived stigmatization due to disclosure, financial barriers, and adverse effects of ART. Support from health care workers was the most frequently mentioned facilitator, and patient’s forgetfulness and perceived stigmatization after disclosure were the most frequently mentioned barriers. Self-motivation (knowledge induced) to adhere to treatment was a specific facilitator among older adolescents. Conclusion: Continuous information provision in addition to unflinching support from health care workers and parents or guardians may improve adherence among adolescents. Also, interventions to reduce patient forgetfulness may be beneficial. A multi-sectorial approach would be needed to address adolescent disclosure of HIV/AIDS status.en_US
dc.identifier.otherhttp://dx.doi.org/10.2147/PPA.S96691
dc.identifier.urihttp://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/26854
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherDovepress Journalen_US
dc.subjectqualitative studyen_US
dc.subjectforgetfulnessen_US
dc.subjectdisclosureen_US
dc.subjectparental supporten_US
dc.subjectstigmatizationen_US
dc.titleFacilitators And Barriers To Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among Adolescents In Ghanaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

Files

Original bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
Ankrah-DNA_Facilitators-and-barriers-to-antiretroviral-therapy-adherence-among-adolescents-in-GhanaOpen-Access_2016.pdf
Size:
357.04 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:

License bundle

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.6 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description: