FACTORS INFLUENCING ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AMONG ADOLESCENTS ATTENDING CLINIC IN JOOTRH

Abstract

The level of adherence to ART among adolescents living with HIV is still of concern.By the end of 2020 the number of infected adolescents from age 10-19 in the world were approximately 1.75M. 954,000 of the adolescent were on treatment and those who adhered to treatment regimen were 591,480. 1.6M of the adolescents living with HIV live in sub-Saharan Africa.according to research done by UNAIDS in 2020.A study done in Cameroon in 2020 by Bongfen indicated that the adherence to ART among adolescents in the country was 83% which is suboptimal . The objective of this study is to assess the factors influencing adherence to ART among adolescents in JOOTRH. A descriptive cross sectional study of adolescents attending comprehensive care clinic of JOOTRH was done. A tested researcher administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic, client related factors, health related factors and level of adherence. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences, with association between independent and dependent variables . The study found that the level of adherence among adolescents in JOOTRH was 84%. The factors that were strongly associated with adherence to ART included age, status, disclosure, socioeconomic status, cost of the services offered in the hospital and the relationship between health care workers and patients. In conclusion the level of adherence among adolescents was 84% which is sub-optimal. This study is meant to help in identifying factors leading to sub-optimal adherence such that necessary interventions can be done.