P-16 Factors Influencing Non-Compliance of Anti-Retroviral Treatment in Patients with HIV at the National Care and Treatment Centre.
Author(s):
A Davilar, T Hyman, J Glasgow, T Hunte, N Holder, R Kurup
Year of Presentation:
2024
Objective: To identify various factors affecting the non-adherence of individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to their antiretroviral treatment.
Methods: The study took place over an eight-week period at the National Care and Treatment Center. Patients at the clinic were given a 39-question questionnaire to complete. The data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 27.0.
Results: The largest group of the participants were ≥50 years old (32%), and females (55%), with secondary educa- tion (55%). Approximately 4 out of 5 participants indicated favorable adherence to their prescribed regimen (77%). About 49.6% of participants in total strongly agreed that they are treated with respect by healthcare professionals. A little over 61.9% of respondents said they were happy with the health care they received, and 61.6% said they felt respected.
Conclusion: Patient’s non-adherence to ART varies over time and between people. Male gender, patients under 40 years, unemployed or illiterate, and those who have only been receiving ART for a short period of time (between 3-6 months) showed greater rates of treatment noncompli- ance. Following an HIV positive test, people in these groups experienced a lack of social support, withdraw within them- selves, and had little understanding of the advantages of ART adherence.