ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AMONG HIV/AIDS PATIENTS ATTENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE CARE CLINIC IN KISUMU COUNTY REFERRAL HOSPITAL

Abstract

vii ABSTRACT HIV/AIDS is a global burden with issues ranging from non-compliance of ARVs to complications that arise following infection with the virus. Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is a major predictor of survival of individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Appropriate use of antiretrovirals (ARV's) has improved the health of many HIV/AIDS positive individuals.The effectiveness of HIV treatment depends on sustenance of high levels of adherence to ARVs The objective of the study was to determine the compliance level of ART among the infected people and reasons for non-compliance. This study was conducted in Kisumu County Referral Hospital in Kisumu County Referral town, and a descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Sample size was determined using Fisher’s et al with approximately 69 participants. Purposive sampling technique was employed in this study. Data was collected from the CCC records and questionnaires were administered to the patients attending CCC clinic in Kisumu County Referral hospital. Permission to conduct the study was sought from the university, Kisumu County Referral hospital and from patients filling questionnaires. The study revealed that most of the respondents were at the age of between 18- 25years representing a percentage of 39.1%. respondents at the age between 26-35years, 36- 45years, 46-55years and 56years and above represented a 27.5%, 14.5%, 11.6%, and 7.2% respectively. Most of the respondents who were free to engage in the study were females representing 63.8% of the respondents while 36.2% of the total respondents were males. Most of the respondents were married in a monogamous relationships/marriages depicting 39.1% of the total respondents. The other respondents were single, steady partners not living together, steady partners living together, married in a polygamous relationship, widowed, and divorced at 21.7%, 18.2%, 7.2%, 4.3%, 7.2%, and 1.4% respectively. The study revealed proportion of patients who adhere to and who do not adhere to ART therapy.31.8% adhered to ART while 68.1% of the respondents did not adhere to ART. Conclusion -The study revealed there was high number of patients who did not adhere to ART .Some of the reasons for non-adherence to ART were poor accessibility to ART in terms of distance to the hospital and transportation, poor delivery services at the CCC, Side effects of the medication. Recommendation-The management of the Kisumu County Referral and other hospitals in the study area can consider improvement on the information security and privacy of the patients with chronic diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Respect and the patients’ opinions can also be of priority in dealing with chronic disease patient.