Knowledge and attitude towards antiretroviral therapy and adherence pattern of HIV patients in southwest Nigeria
Loading...
Date
2014
Authors
Kasumu, LO
Balogun, MR
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Infection Control
Abstract
Strict adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy remains a challenge that has important implications
for treatment success. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and adherence pattern of
antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV patients attending an adult antiretroviral clinic in a tertiary health
facility in Lagos, southwest Nigeria. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire on
361 patients who were selected by systematic sampling method. This study showed that 83.1% of respondents
had good knowledge about ART with the more educated having significantly better knowledge (p<0.05), 98.1%
had positive attitude towards ART and most of them had positive perception about their healthcare providers
across most of the areas asked. The self-reported adherence level was 78.4% and older age was significantly
associated with good adherence (p<0.05). A third of the respondents who missed doses did so because they
were away from home. Further emphasis on good adherence during counselling sessions especially to younger
patients, continuous use of reminders and use of inconspicuous pillboxes when patients are away from home
are recommended.
Description
Scholarly article
Keywords
Antiretroviral therapy , Drug therapy , HIV infections , HIV Patients , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE::Social medicine
Citation
Kasumu LO, Balogun MR. Knowledge and attitude towards antiretroviral therapy and adherence pattern of HIV patients in southwest Nigeria. International Journal of Infection Control 2014; 10: i3. doi: 10.3396/IJIC.v10i3.024.14