Publications

As of 2020, the global HIV burden affected approximately 37.7 million people, with 36.0million being adults, including 1.5 million new infections in 2020. By June 2021, about28.2 million individuals were accessing antiretroviral therapy (ART), representingapproximately 73% of those living with HIV, and the majority of them resided in theAfrican region. This study aimed to explore the factors that impact adherence toantiretroviral therapy. Conducted as a descriptive cross-sectional study, data wascollected using questionnaires as the primary instruments. The analysis of data wascarried out using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and the results werepresented in tabular form. The study identified that adherence to ART was notablyhigher among those who were employed (88.8%), did not use drugs and alcohol (87.2%),earned an income above 200,000/= per month (90.5%), had knowledge about HIV/AIDStherapy (85.4%), and were informed about the specific ARV drugs in use (85.4%).Moreover, individuals who believed their religion openly supported people living withHIV (86.9%), did not think that HIV could be cured through spiritual intervention (84.4%),had never sought spiritual healing (86.1%), followed a religion that did not discourageARV use (82.6%), and did not experience religious interference with their ARV intake(84.3%) exhibited higher adherence rates. While the study reveals substantial adherenceto ART, it also underscores that the WHO's recommended adherence target has yet to befully attained. Employment status, substance use, income level, knowledge, as well asreligious and cultural beliefs were identified as influential factors affecting adherenceto ARV therapy. These findings have important implications for developinginterventions and support systems to further enhance adherence rates amongindividuals living with HIV