European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ANTI-RETRO VIRAL MEDICATION ADHERENCE AMONG PREGNANT WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV IN A NIGERIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL: EVALUATION OF BARRIERS

A. A. Mgbahurike* and I. C. Onah

ABSTRACT

Background: Strict adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is needed to achieve viral suppression especially
among pregnant women. Virological and clinical success depends critically on elevated adherence to ART,
without which maternal disease can develop, with its attendant increase in the risk of vertical mother-to-child
transmission. This study aimed to examine the factors affecting medication adherence among pregnant women
living with HIV, in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). Method: The study adopted a
cross-sectional study. Prevalence rate was used to calculate the sample size. A total of 163 pregnant women living
with HIV was obtained, and recruited. The study was carried out between August and November 2023. A
structured questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data during the study period. The questionnaire consist
of four (4) parts: Demographic data; Adherence level; Barriers (factors) to adherence; and Reasons/Need for
adherence. Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) V22 was used for data analysis. Student T- test and Chisquare
test were used for test of significance at p- value of < 0.05. Results: The results showed that out of 163
respondents 59(36.2%) reported poor medication adherence while, 104 (63.8%) reported 100% adherence which
was considered good. The result further showed that the most common reason for non-adherence to medication
were food requirement of the drug; 10(17.0%) reported drug out of stock; 9(15.2%) claimed feeling tired or
sleepy, while 8(13.5%) reported lack of finance to go to clinic; 7(11.9%) feared stigmatization and 5(8.5%)
reported forgetfulness. Socio-demographic variables found to be significantly associated with adherence were
marital status 44.2% and age 47.8%, with married women and younger women were more likely to adhere to ART
instructions, while the major reason for adherence was to be alive and healthy. Conclusion: The study showed that
a good number of pregnant women living with HIV achieved good adherence level, and the main driving force
was to be healthy and alive. However, there is the need for more comprehensive awareness program on ART
adherence and on other possible constraints to adherence to achieve the adherence rate of 100% recommended by
the Federal Ministry of Health, Nigeria.

Keywords: Antiretroviral therapy, pregnant women, medication adherence, University Teaching Hospital.