Assessment of Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence among Children Attending Care at a Tertiary Hospital in Southeastern Nigeria

Abstract

<i>Background</i>. Adherence is the strongest predictor of successful treatment outcome among children infected with HIV. Our aim was to assess the antiretroviral drugs adherence status of HIV-infected children attending care at a tertiary hospital in Southeastern Nigeria. <i>Method</i>. The study involved a cross-sectional survey of 210 HIV-infected children attending care at a tertiary hospital in Southeastern Nigeria using self-report method of assessment. Optimal ART adherence is defined as patient taking not missing more than 1 dose of combined antiretroviral therapy medication in the preceding 2 weeks prior to the study. <i>Result</i>. A majority of the subjects 191 (91%) had good adherence. There was a significant relationship between adherence and patient educational level (<i>p</i> = 0.004), duration of treatment (<i>p</i> = 0.001), drug administrator (<i>p</i> = 0.005), and orphan status (<i>p</i> = 0.001). The motivating factor for adherence was "not falling sick as before" while stigma was the most discouraging factor. <i>Conclusion</i>. The adherence level in this study was good. Stigma was an important reason given by patient/caregivers for nonadherence. There is need for concerted effort in addressing this barrier to improve adherence and prevent the emergence of drug resistance and treatment failure.