ABSTRACT
Background: The Acquired Immune –deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a terminal illness caused by a retrovirus known as the Human Immune-deficiency virus (HIV). HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death in sub-saharan Africa. Nigeria has the second largest HIV epidemic in the world and one of the highest rates of new infection in sub-Saharan Africa with 1.9 million people living HIV in 2018. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality,prolonged life expectancy and improved quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS infection (PLWHA). To be most effective ART requires a near perfect level of adherence. Poor adherence compromises treatment effectiveness, leading to treatment failure and development of drug resistance. Non-adherence is also characterized by increased morbidity, mortality and great economic loss.This study assessed the effect of health education on factors influencing adherence to ART among PLWHAs in Enugu State. Methodology:A health education intervention was carried out among 312 persons living with HIV/AIDS receiving ART in Enugu metropolis to improve their perception and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 312 people living with HIV/AIDS (156 each in the study and control groups), who were selected by multistage sampling. Subsequently, health education was conducted among the study group. Three months after this intervention its effects were assessed through a survey using the same structured questionnaires employed in the baseline survey. Results:Knowledge of supportive and limiting factors of adherence improved significantly among the study group than the controls post-intervention (P<0.001). The factors that facilitated adherence included follow-up visits, adequate information education/counseling and supportive relationships. The limiting factors were drug side-effects, forgetfulness, finance and travel time to clinic.Conclusion:Health education improved knowledge of supportive factors of ART adherence among PLWHAs in Enugu State, and this should be promoted
ABSTRACT
HIV/AIDS continues to be a major global public health issue, having claimed more than 32 million lives so far. There were approximately 37.9 million people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV) at the end of 2018. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced morbidity and mortality and improved quality of life among people with HIV infection. Aims: The study was conducted to improve the knowledge and adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among PLHIV in Enugu state, southeast Nigeria. Study Design:Interventional study.Place and Duration of Study:Anti-retroviral Therapy clinics within Enugu metropolis in Enugu state Nigeria between June to December 2018.Methodology: A health education intervention was carried out among 312 PLHIV receiving ART in Enugu metropolis to improve their perception and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from 312 PLHIV (156 each in the study and control groups), who were selected by multistage sampling. Subsequently, health education was conducted among the study group. Three months after this intervention its effects were assessed through a survey using the same structured questionnaires employed in the baseline survey. Results:The most frequently occurring reason given by the respondents for poor adherence to ART was forgetfulness (65.4% for study and 69.9% for control groups). Knowledge of the factors and consequences of poor adherence to treatment wassignificantly higher among the study group than the controls post-interventions p<0.001. Adherence to ART improved from 42.3% pre-intervention to 81.4% post-intervention. Conclusion:Intensive health education effectively improved adherence to ART among persons living with HIV/AIDSand this should be carried out regularly