Analysis of Factors Affecting Adherence to Anti Retroviral Therapy (art) Among HIV Infected Clients Reporting at ART Clinic in Kiswa Health Centre III, Kampala District.
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Date
2024-07-23
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Publisher
King Ceasor University, Institutional Repository
Abstract
A study was carried out at Kiswa Health Center III to identify the factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected clients. The specific objectives of the study include; Determining the socioeconomic factors affecting adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (art) among HIV-infected clients reporting to the ART clinic at Kiswa Health Centre III, Assessing the drug-related factors affecting adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (art) among HIV-infected clients reporting for ART clinic at Kiswa Health Centre III; To identify the health facility factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected clients reporting for ART clinic at Kiswa Health Centre III. A descriptive and cross-sectional design was employed and 60 respondents were selected using simple random sampling. Data was collected using a questionnaire. The study found that respondents faced various socioeconomic factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected clients as most 38 (63%) had been taking ARVs for 1 – 3 years, 60 (100%) reported facing problems in taking the drugs, 28 (46.7%) respondents reported non-availability of medication, 24 (40%) who reported lack of support, 8 (13.3%) reported forgetfulness, 40 (66.7%) resided 1 – 3 km away from the nearest health facility offering ARVs, 40 (66.7%) spent between 1000 – 5000shs on transport to the health facility to fetch ARVs, 40 (66.7%) reported not having community/peer support groups to encourage and motivate respondents to take ARVs. The study revealed that respondents had never faced drug-related factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected clients as all 60 (100%) had ever missed their dose and 20 (33.3%) had ever abandoned their medication due to the unavailability of medication, 16 (26.7%) forgetfulness, 12 (20%) side effects and 8 (13.3%) lack of support while pill burden and fatigue were a also a major factor as 40 (66.7%) respondents were supposed to take 4 pills daily and all 60 (100%) had ever experienced side effects of medication including 30 (50%) nausea and 20 (33.3%) vomiting. Respondents also faced various health facility-related factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected clients and these included 40 (67%) inadequate supervision by health workers in the community, 40 (66.7%) did not have a good rapport with the physician/health worker providing them with ARVs, 30 (50%) sometimes found HIV medicines at the health facility. However, 36 (60%) received patient education regarding the goals of adherence. In conclusion, the researcher noted that respondents faced various socio-economic, drug-related, and health facility factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-infected clients. The key recommendations included the provision of more support in the communities, health educating patients about the potential side effects of drugs, ensuring ready supply and availability of drugs, and improving rapport and communication with patients among others.
Keywords: ART Adherence; HIV/AIDS; Socioeconomic Factors; Health Facility Factors
Description
Mulago National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.