Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy by Pregnant Women AccessingAntenatal Clinic at The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital,Tertiary Institution in Rivers State

Authors

  • Augustina Onwunata Department of Population and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt Nigeria Author
  • Omotayo O Ebong Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Madonna University Elele Author
  • Onyi Mba Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47363/JCET/2022(3)123

Keywords:

HIV, antiretroviral therapy Adherence, Prevention of mother-to-child transmission, Rivers State

Abstract

Background: Non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) by pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS is a problem that has been reported to have adverse effects on the mother and the unborn child and this is a major public health issue in high- and low-income nations. Virological and
clinical success depends critically on elevated adherence to ART, without which maternal disease can develop, with its attendant increase in the risk of vertical mother-to-child transmission. The level of non-adherence to ART is high in many communities in Nigeria. This study assesses the level
of ART adherence and identifies factors that influence nonadherence among pregnant women living with HIV/AIDS.
Materials and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 236 HIV pregnant women on ART assessing the PMTCT services of the Antenatal Clinic at the O&G Department of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. The study was carried out for a period of three months. The respondents were selected using a multistage sampling method and were interrogated using semi structured questionnaires. Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V22 and Chi‑square test with a p value of < 0.05 as statistically significant were used for data analyses.
Results: Out of the 236 respondents that were used for the study, 16.1% reported ART adherence problems while 83.9% reported 100% adherence, which is considered good. Constant exhaustion and frequent sleeping were the basic explanations given for missing out doses by the non-adherents.
Socio-demographic variables found to be significantly associated with adherence were marital status 59.1% and age 63%, with married women and younger women more likely to adhere to ART instructions.
Conclusion: This study shows that pregnant women can achieve good adherence to ART medication if encouraged. There is the need for more comprehensive awareness programmes on ART adherence and on other possible constraints to adherence to achieve the adherence rate of 100%
recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria

Author Biographies

  • Augustina Onwunata, Department of Population and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt Nigeria

    Department of Population and Reproductive Health, School of Public Health, University of Port Harcourt Nigeria

  • Omotayo O Ebong, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Madonna University Elele

    Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Madonna University Elele

  • Onyi Mba, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

    Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

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Published

2022-03-16

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2022): Volume 3 Issue 1

Section

Articles