article · Asian Journal of Medicine and Health
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy remains a significant challenge for adolescents living with HIV, potentially undermining treatment outcomes. An investigation conducted at a tertiary healthcare facility in north central Nigeria examined treatment adherence and its influencing factors among 417 HIV-positive adolescents aged 10 to 19 years. Using standardised adherence scales and structured assessments of barriers, the evaluation revealed that 77.7 percent of the participating adolescents did not adhere to their prescribed antiretroviral regimens. The analysis identified several key determinants linked to poor adherence, specifically patient age, educational attainment, occupation, ethnic background, and fear of stigmatisation. Addressing these barriers through enhanced adherence counselling and targeted support programmes, particularly for individuals facing social stigma or presenting unsuppressed viral loads, could support sustained treatment success and ease the shift from paediatric to adult clinical care.
Adolescents represent a vulnerable group in HIV management, and low adherence to medication can lead to treatment failure and increased drug resistance. Identifying local drivers of missed doses, such as fear of social stigma, helps healthcare providers tailor clinical support systems. This evidence informs public health strategies aimed at improving survival rates and managing long-term treatment as young patients move into adult healthcare environments.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Aim: The aim of this present study was to determine the prevalence of non-adherence to ART and identify the determinants of non-adherence among HIV-positive adolescents attending a tertiary hospital in north central Nigeria. Non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a major problem in the care of HIV positive adolescents on antiretroviral treatment because it is thought to impact negatively on their treatment. The prevalence of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescent in sub-Saharan Africa is between 40 and 50%. Nigeria has a prevalence of 58%. Study Design: Using a facility-based cross-sectional study, Place and Duration of the Study: At sexually transmitted infections clinic, Federal Medical Centre Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria from January 2023 to October 2024. Methodology: A total of 417 consenting HIV-positive adolescents aged 10-19 years, who had been on ART for at least six months, were recruited using convenience sampling. Data collection included socio-demographic characteristics, the eight-item Morisky medication adherence scale (8-mmas), and an eight-item self-developed scale to assess barriers to adherence. Data analysis was conducted using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software (version 23.0). Socio-demographic characteristics, prevalence of non-adherence, and determinants of non-adherence were reported as percentages. Chi-square, fisher test, and logistic regression were employed to identify determinants of non-adherence, with a significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The prevalence of non-adherence to ART among the study participants was 77.7%. Non-adherence was significantly associated with age, education level, occupation, ethnicity, and fear of stigmatization. Conclusion: Enhanced adherence counseling, targeted interventions for at-risk adolescents, and a comprehensive approach that includes adherence assessment for those fearing stigmatizations and with unsuppressed viral loads are recommended. These strategies may improve long-term therapeutic success and facilitate the transition from pediatric to adult care in this population.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.9734/ajmah/2025/v23i11158
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
