Abstract

EYASSU, Melaku A.; MOTHIBA, Tebogo M.  and  MBAMBO-KEKANA, Nonceba P.. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV and AIDS patients at the Kwa-Thema clinic in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Afr. j. prim. health care fam. med. (Online) [online]. 2016, vol.8, n.2, pp.1-7. ISSN 2071-2936.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v8i2.924.

BACKGROUND: Introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown reduction in HIV-related mortality and morbidity in people living with HIV and AIDS. Since high levels of adherence of more than 95.0% is required to achieve effective suppression of viral load, researchers found it important to establish whether people are pursuing what is expected of them. AIM AND SETTING: The study was aimed at determining adherence to ART among HIV and AIDS patients at the Kwa-Thema clinic in Gauteng Province. METHODS: Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Ethical clearance was sort from MEDUNSA Research Ethics Committee. Validity and reliability were maintained throughout the study. A non-probability systematic sampling was used. Data were collected using administered structured questionnaire, and a total of 290 respondents were involved. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS: The findings indicated that the adherence to ART was 77.0%. Factors that were significantly associated with adherence were gender (χ² = 3.78, df = 1, p < 0.05), level of education (χ² = 3.52, df = 3, p = 0.032), co-treatment of HIV and other infections (χ² = 5.46, df = 4, p = 0.019), ability to follow ART (χ² = 12.82, df = 1, p = 0.000 < 0.05), and types of antiretroviral drugs. RECOMMENDATION: The study recommends intensification of health education campaign against stigma and gender discrimination. Providing feedback to patients regarding benefits of ART is important. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that adherence to ART at the Kwa-Thema clinic was suboptimal (less than 95%) at 77%, but comparable with the adherence levels in other developing countries.

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