Abstract:
Background: Patient factors that affect proper usage of antiretrovirals include knowledge, attitudes and practices of the patient towards antiretroviral therapy (ART). Effective management of HIV/AIDS will not be achieved where knowledge and practice of ART are poor or patients have negative attitudes towards their medications.
Objectives: This study was aimed at determining the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards ART among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAS) attending clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla of Enugu State South-east of Nigeria.
Methods: A cross sectional study of nine hundred and sixty-two (962) adult PLWHAS receiving antiretroviral medications was conducted in 2013. Quantitative data were collected using interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire while qualitative data were collected using focus group discussions (FGD) held among the research participants for in-depth information. Chi-square and regression analysis were used to determine the association between the variables.
Results: The respondents were predominantly female (male to female ratio of 1:2). Majority (80.8%), were aged 15 to 49 years and 94.5% had formal education. Respondents were essentially self employed (59.1%) and have been on treatment for less than 5 years (56.3%). A sizeable proportion (64.0%) of PLWHAS had good knowledge of ART, 64.6% demonstrated positive attitudes towards ART and only 555.2 had good practice towards ART. Predictors of good knowledge were higher education (R= 0.152, p< 0.001) and male gender while being male and on ART for longer period were predictors for positive attitudes (R= 0.114, p< 0.01). Gender of respondents, educational qualification and occupation were significantly associated with good knowledge; gender, age range and duration on ART were significantly associated with positive attitudes towards ART; only gender was significantly associated with good practice towards ART. Majority of FGD participants reported not hiding from their family or friends to take their drugs but hid the identity of the drugs under the disguise of taking multivitamins or antidiabetic medications because of stigmatization. Majority (90.8%) of respondents and FGD participants got information on ART from health care professionals at the HIV clinic. Overall participants demonstrated good knowledge of and positive attitudes towards ART but poor practice towards ART.
Conclusion: Improving the knowledge, attitudes and practices of PLWHAS towards ART requires a multidisciplinary approach of all the health care professionals involved in HIV/AIDS program. This can be achieved by medication information and health education.
