Predictors of Medication Adherence: A Study among People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Abstract

Based on the importance of strict medication adherence needed to achieve significant viral suppression and good clinical outcome in HIV patients, continuous investigations into factors that predict adherence have always been considered necessary due to the global threat the virus poses. The present study aimed at investigating predictors of medication adherence among PLWHIV in the Ashanti Region, Ghana. This study specifically investigated how factors such as HIV stigma, spirituality, self-efficacy, doctor’s communication skills and perceived social support each predict medication adherence among PLWHIV. The study used 349 PLWHIV from the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Standard Multiple Regression was used to test the relationship between HIV-related stigma, spirituality, self-efficacy, doctor’s communication skills, perceived social support and HIV medication adherence. Gender difference in medication adherence was also tested using Independent Samples t-test. Findings from the study revealed that doctor’s communication skills and perceived social support from significant other each had a positive relationship with HIV medication adherence. HIV-related stigma, general self-efficacy, and spirituality each had a negative relationship with medication adherence. There were no significant differences between men and women in HIV medication adherence. These findings suggest that healthcare providers in HIV management including physicians and psychologists should improve their communication skills as this has been shown to promote medication adherence.