Factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy among sero-positive clients at Mbagathi district hospital-Nairobi

Abstract

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown to improve the Health and prolong the lives of most SERO-positive clients. As compared to other therapies, the efficacy of Antiretroviral therapy depends on strict adherence to the regimen. This poses the greatest challenges ever to many clients initiated on the therapy. Obtaining the full benefit from the therapy is a complex individual behavioral process influenced by many broader factors. The study sought to determine factors that influence Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among the SERO-positive clients initiated on ART. A cross-sectional study design was conducted at Mbagathi District Hospital, Comprehensive Care Clinic in the months of July and August, 2013. Convenient sampling method was used to select the 85 respondents for the study. A structured-self administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. It was then analyzed by use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Version 14-0. Relationships were determined by use of a chi- square test and a P-value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. The findings revealed gender inequalities in the study where more women (72.2%) were infected with HIV/AIDS as compared to male's counterparts (27.8%). Most people severely affected by the scourge were found to be from the child-bearing age group between 15-49 years with majority (42.6%) aged between 25-34 years. Statistical analysis also showed a significant relationship between age (25-34) and ART adherence (P=0.039)educational levels was found to have no influence on ART adherence with statistical analysis of (P=0.3). Majority (80%) of the respondents were found to be knowledgeable about ART. Statistical analysis showed significant relationship between ART adherence and knowledge (P=O.OOl. Despite this, stigmatization and discrimination upon one's disclosure of HIV status was found to be on increase at (56.0%) and (24.1%) respectively and was also found to influence ART adherence negatively.