Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV and AIDS patients at the Kwa-Thema clinic in Gauteng Province, South Africa

BACKGROUND Introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown reduction in HIV-related mortality and morbidity in people living with HIV and AIDS. Since high levels of adherence of more than 95.0% is required to achieve effective suppression of viral load, researchers found it important to establish whether people are pursuing what is expected of them. AIM AND SETTING The study was aimed at determining adherence to ART among HIV and AIDS patients at the Kwa-Thema clinic in Gauteng Province. METHODS Quantitative cross-sectional descriptive design was used. Ethical clearance was sort from MEDUNSA Research Ethics Committee. Validity and reliability were maintained throughout the study. A non-probability systematic sampling was used. Data were collected using administered structured questionnaire, and a total of 290 respondents were involved. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 22. RESULTS The findings indicated that the adherence to ART was 77.0%. Factors that were significantly associated with adherence were gender ( χ2 = 3.78, df = 1, p < 0.05), level of education ( χ2 = 3.52, df = 3, p = 0.032), co-treatment of HIV and other infections ( χ2 = 5.46, df = 4, p = 0.019), ability to follow ART ( χ2 = 12.82, df = 1, p = 0.000 < 0.05), and types of antiretroviral drugs. RECOMMENDATION The study recommends intensification of health education campaign against stigma and gender discrimination. Providing feedback to patients regarding benefits of ART is important. CONCLUSION The study concluded that adherence to ART at the Kwa-Thema clinic was suboptimal (less than 95%) at 77%, but comparable with the adherence levels in other developing countries.