Factors contributing to non-adherence among young females enrolled on ART at Kalisizo General Hospital

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find out the factors contributing to non-adherence among the young females enrolled on ART at Kalisizo General Hospital, Kalisizo Sub county-Kyotera District. It was also aimed at exploring patients views about barriers to ART adherence, examining the effectiveness of the new strategies employed during the COVID-19 pandemic, enhancing interventions for practice, policy and further study and their recommendations on how increase their adherence. Purposive sampling was employed to select the participants for the study. Data collection methods included in-depth interviews and key informant interviews. Data was collected at the ART clinic of Kalisizo General Hospital from the EMR and the viral load non-suppressor register. 27 patients aged 15-24 years enrolled on ART and 10 health workers including ART in-charge, enrolled nurses and peersmats were interviewed. The participants were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaire translated in Luganda, the most predominant language in Kyotera District. The study assessed several factors that were suspected to contribute to ART non-adherence as informed from the findings.