Factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy at the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and Kiswa Health Centre (KHC), Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate factors that influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV/AIDS patients. The study was conducted from two health facilities, namely, Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) in Rubaga division and Kiswa Health Centre (KHC) in Nakawa division. Administrative data from 5,150 clients (Patients) was used. Adherence was measured using the Pill Counts, and patients with good adherence levels were 88.1% (95% Kiswa and 80.3% JCRC). The association between independent variables and adherence to ART was measured using ChiSquare in the bivariate analysis, while the best predictors of ART adherence were determined using the logistic regression model. At the bivariate level of analysis, the factors that were found to have a strong impact on adherence were; Employment (p=0.000), Treatment Regimen (p=0.000), Age (p=0.011), and Opportunistic Infections (p=0.005); while Gender (p=0.425), Education (p=0.071) and Missing a drug (p=0.451) did not have any impact on adherence. In the multivariate analysis, the predictors of ART adherence were; type of Employment (OR=2.032, p=0.000), type of Treatment Regimen (OR=1.042, p=0.027), and Age of Clients (OR=0.884, p=0.030). To increase adherence and the effectiveness of ART, there is need to continuously address the importance of adhering to ART among the HIV patients, thus making them aware of the problems and benefits of adhering to ART treatment. People looking after children (0 – 18) years who are on ART, should be advised and educated on how to take care and the importance of these children’s adherence to ART. Adherence devices and reminders, counseling, and adherence sensitization (education) should be emphasized especially for the younger patients and those with low education levels.