Preliminary investigation of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among children in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Bibliographic Data

ID15456701
AuthorsM Mukhtar-Yola (0000-0002-5422-614X, Bayero University Kano, corresponding author), S I Adeleke (Bayero University Kano), Dayyabu Gwarzo (Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital), Zubaida Farouk Ladan (Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital)
Year2006
Volume5
Issue2
Pages141-144
Publication date2006-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAfrican Journal of AIDS Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1608-5906 • E-ISSN: 1727-9445
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.2989/16085900609490374
PMID25875238
OpenAlexW2039340262
LanguageEN
Citations received6

Treatment of HIV with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in declining morbidity and mortality rates from HIV-associated diseases, but concerns regarding access and adherence are growing. To determine the adherence level and the reasons for non-adhering to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among children attending the clinic for infectious diseases at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital in Nigeria, a cross-sectional study using the selfreport tool was carried out among 40 children with HIV infection who had been on ART for at least six months. Thirty-two patients (80%) were 95% or more adherent to their medications. The most common reasons for nonadherence were running out of medicines and the inability to purchase more due to financial constraints; other barriers were non-availability and inaccessibility to medications. Eighty-five percent of the paediatric patients took their medications at the same time everyday, and scheduled appointments were kept by 87.5%. The social class of the patients did not significantly affect adherence level. The level of adherence to ART was comparable to levels reported from other developing and developed countries. The cost of ART, and availability and accessibility to medications were the most significant barriers to adherence. Expanded access to subsidised antiretroviral drugs should improve adherence - and consequently treatment outcomes - for patients receiving this treatment in resource-poor settings

Antiretroviral therapy · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Teaching hospital · Viral load · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Pediatrics

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