The relationship between patient-related factors and medication adherence among Nigerian patients taking highly active anti-retroviral therapy

BACKGROUND Through several initiatives, there are increasingly more people who have access to anti-retroviral therapy. Adherence to therapy is, however, necessary for successful management of disease. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to describe adherence rates and determine what patient-related factors are related to adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among adult patients in an HIV clinic located in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS Adherence was measured using the two-week self-recall method. Barriers, satisfaction with therapy, and socio-demographic and clinical variables served as independent variables. Data were collected via self-administered surveys. RESULTS Most of the patients (79.5%) reported 100% adherence. The significant (p<0.05) barriers to adherence were forgetfulness, running out of medication, alcohol use, and medication side effects. For every unit increase in the number of barriers, patients were 60.8% less likely to be 100% adherent (p <0.05, odds ratio, OR = 0.392, 95% CI = 0.295-0.523). CONCLUSION Interventions should target helping patients cope with forgetfulness, specifically employing strategies to overcome busyness in schedules, being away from home, and tiredness.