| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed at identifying factors that hinder adherence to anti-retroviral treatment among people living with HIV the case of Lwengo health centre IV. The research study aimed at considering the socio-economic factors, the reasons for individual failure to adherence as well as examining the socially related factors and the possible measures that can be implemented to increase the rate of adherence among people living with HIV on antiretroviral treatment
The study used a descriptive cross-sectional study utilizing In-depth personal interviews as well as focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect data, respondents were selected purposively and sample size determined following the principle of data saturation. Individual face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with twenty-five people living with HIV, key informants’ interviews with two health workers and one focus group discussions with people living with HIV/AIDs. Data were analysed and presented into themes in chapter four.
Consequently, the study found out that factors such as lack of food, lack of transport money, poor economic status, drug related side effects and lack of support from social networks had a negative impact on their adherence. Pill count, intensive adherence counselling, peer-to-peer reach out and use of paid landlines were some of the coping mechanisms adopted to promote and improve adherence among patients at the hospital.
The study concluded that special attention should be put on identifying ways to promote sustained adherence on ART among people living with HIV and also further studies focus on disclosure and how it is an obstacle to adherence. They can also study the role of food security in promoting adherence among HIV/AIDs patients.
The study recommended the government to put more effort to establish more ART clinics at the different health facilities so as to improve on accessibility to HIV/AIDs care especially for those people who have to walk very long distances to reach the health facilities for treatment and also encouraged the patients to seek HIV/AIDs treatment from nearby health facilities to reduce on the transport costs on appointment dates thus ensuring adherence among PLWHIV. | en_US |
