Assessment of Factors Associated with Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV Patients at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital in Ishaka, Uganda

Abstract

HIV has increasingly become a chronic, manageable disease due to the introduction of antiretroviral therapies (ARTs). For the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy, a high level of adherence is required. This study therefore seeks to assess the adherence level and the influence of its determinants in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy at the Kampala International University Teaching Hospital (KIUTH) HIV clinic in Ishaka, Uganda. Quantitative cross-section study approach was conducted to assess the factors associated with adherence to a-ntiretroviral therapy among HIV patients at KIUTH in Ishaka, Uganda. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire in 150 respondents in this study. The qualitative data collected was statistically analysed and documented using Microsoft Excel and Word version 2019, which were then analyzed. The analysed data was presented in the form of tables and graphs, which formed the basis for discussion and conclusion. Of a total of 150 clients interviewed, equal proportions of 26% were in the age groups of 40–49 and 50–59 years, with a mean age of 46 years. The majority (65%) were female, with most (45%) being Anglicans, followed by Catholics (32%), Muslims (14%), and other religions (9%). Nearly half (45.1%) of the respondents were married. About 7% had tertiary education, while 37% had completed the ordinary level of high school. Nearly half (47%) knew the name of the ART they were taking, while 17% did not. Less than a third (26.7%) did not know the name of the ART drug they were taking. A large proportion (93%) stated that ART prevents mother-to-child transmission of infection, while 7% reported that they did not know. Nearly all (96%) respondents knew HIV could be controlled by ART. The majority (87%) stated that taking ART prevents disease progression, and 63% opined that missing ART drugs can lead to transmission of the disease. Overall, adherence to ART was 39% while non-adherence was 61%. In conclusion, the study discovered a high degree of awareness but a low level of adherence to ART among patients living with HIV. Forgetfulness, financial level, employment status, and knowledge of the benefits of the intervention are all important factors in nonadherence among some HIV patients. As a result, ART clinics should increase the level of education provided to customers to encourage patients to take complete responsibility for their health status. Keywords: Adherence, Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV, AIDS