Find in Library
Search millions of books, articles, and more
Indexed Open Access Databases
Assessment of adherence to antiretroviral therapy, associated factors, and relationship to CD4 cell count recovery among HIV-positive adolescents
oleh: Nonso Anthony Ogbuefi, Ebelechuku Francesca Ugochukwu, Chinyere Ukamaka Onubogu, Emeka Stephen Edokwe, Kenneth Nchekwube Okeke
Format: | Article |
---|---|
Diterbitkan: | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01 |
Deskripsi
Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-positive adolescents (HPAs) is an enormous challenge in pediatric HIV management. Suboptimal adherence (OA) encourages treatment failure and HIV transmission. Several factors are inimical to OA, among HPA. Objective: The factors which influence adherence to ART in HPA accessing care in Nnewi, Nigeria, were determined. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and fifty HPAs, aged 10–19 years, who had been on ART for at least 6 months were recruited; 75 each for groups 10–14 and 15–19 years. Sociodemographic data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires. Relevant clinical data were retrieved from medical records, and current CD4 cell counts assayed. Results: There were 77 males and 73 females. OA to ART was defined as intake of ≥95% of antiretrovirals over a given period. Using pill count (PC), 74.7% (112/150) had OA. Using the preceding 28-day self-report (P28DSR), 84.0% (126/150) had OA, while for the preceding seven-day self-report (P7DSR), it was 89.3% (134/150). Factors significantly associated with sub-OA were tertiary education, missed clinic visits, travel time to facility ≤1 h, persistent feeling of sadness, and fear of death. Subjects with OA had a significantly higher rate of CD4 cell count recovery compared to those having sub-OA. Conclusion: Sub-OA is common in HPA and can be assessed with a combination of PC and preceding P28DSR, in resource-poor settings. As OA is crucial to CD4 cell count recovery, the latter can be useful in monitoring adherence in HPA.