Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy and Associated Factors among HIV Positive Adolescents in Kenya
Journal Title: IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science - Year 2019, Vol 24, Issue 1
Abstract
Background: Optimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a serious challenge for adolescents living with HIV. The poor adherence is associated with poor treatment outcome. Currently, adolescence is the only age group where HIV related mortality is not declining. This study aimed at determining the proportion of adolescents adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the correlates of non-adherence to ART. Method: A total of 85 adolescents were enrolled consecutively as they sought services at the Comprehensive Care Centre (CCC) of Murang‟a County Hospital. Interviews were conducted using an interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Chi square test was used to assess the associations between the dependent and independent variables. Results: The study found that 75.3% of the subjects adhered to ART (95% confidence interval (CI) 16.8% to 34.8%). Most frequently reported reason for non-adherence was forgetting (62%) followed by travelling (14%). Younger adolescents (< 18 years) had higher odds of being non-adherent to ART (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 97.40 (95% CI 2.22 - 4282.91) for those aged 10 to 13 years and aOR 522.46 (95% CI 4.87 - 56101.59) for those aged 14 to 17 years). A student enrolled in a day school had 90% lower likelihood of being non-adherent to ART when compared to his counterparts in boarding schools (aOR 0.10 (95% CI 0.02 - 0.58). Experiencing adverse effects on taking ARVs was associated with increased odds of poor ART adherence (aOR 16.17 (95% CI 1.76 - 148.28)) while finding the hours of CCC‟s operation being convenient lowered the odds of being nonadherent to ART by 98% (aOR 0.02 (95% CI 0.00 - 0.65)). Conclusion: Our study showed a substantial proportion of self-reported suboptimal ART adherence among adolescents living with HIV. This is likely to place this cohort at an increased risk of ART failure and the attendant risk of disease progression. The findings suggest that interventions designed specifically for the adolescent population are further needed.
Authors and Affiliations
Mburu Muiyuro, Kenneth Ngure, Joseph Mutai, Murima Ng‟ang‟a
Keywords
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- EP ID EP443359
- DOI 10.9790/0837-2401081725.
- Views 100
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