Factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents attending primary schools in Gulu Municipality
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Date
2018-11
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kampala International University. School of Health Sciences
Abstract
Whereas HAART has significantly improved the lives of many HIV patients worldwide, the lack of adherence to the treatment among school going adolescents remains a major challenge to HIV and AIDS care. Good adherence to the ART amongst all infected individuals is crucial for successful viral suppression, however, school going adolescents infected with HIV face particular challenges accessing effective care and achieving successful treatment outcomes as ARVT brings with it challenges to both the children undergoing the therapy and their caregivers.
This study was designed to assess the factors associated with adherence to ART among adolescents attending primary school in Gulu municipality with specific objectives as; to determine tl1e adolescent's level of adherence to ART, and to assess the school related and the health care related factors affecting the same.
A cross sectional descriptive research design, quantitative in nature, was used. Using purposive sampling, a total of 266 participant files were analyzed and 19 key informants were recruited into the study and the findings analyzed.
The study found that the level of adherence to ART among adolescents in the study setting was
not adequately assessed as some of the patients had been lost to follow up; school related factors like lack of awareness about ALWHIV in the schools negatively influenced adherence to ART among adolescents and the health care related factors such as staff attitude, among others also negatively influenced adherence to ART among ALWHIV.
In light of the study findings, the researcher recommends that the parents and guardians should be encouraged to disclose their children's HIV status to both the children and the school authorities to enable continuity of medication smoothly as this would improve adherence.
Description
A Research Report Submitted to the School of Pharmacy in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Award of Bachelor in Pharmacy of Kampala International University
Keywords
Antiretroviral therapy, Adolescents, Primary schools, Gulu Municipality