Assessment of HIV/AIDS patients’ adherence to the single molecular fixed-dose combination therapy of high active anti-retroviral therapy at the Suntreso Government Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
November, 2015
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The study assessed the HIV/AIDS patients’ adherence to the single molecular fixed-dose combination therapy of High Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) at the Suntreso Government Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana. A cross-sectional study design was employed. The study systematically sampled 322 PLWHIV/AIDS from the STI unit of the Suntreso Government Hospital. The respondents were patients attending clinic within the period of the study. The study relied on primary data which were collected with structured questionnaire. The questionnaire for the study was pre-tested in Kwadaso S.D.A Hospital in Kumasi. The study aimed at finding out the influence of condition-related factors, healthcare providers’ factors, patient-related factors and therapy-related factors on Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) ART adherence. It was concluded that HIV/AIDS patients at the Suntreso Government Hospital were anxious, had adequate information on FDC and perceived FDC as good for improvement of health status and they were not forgetful to take FDC as prescribed. HIV/AIDS patients were supported by their families but they were stigmatized. HIV/AIDS patients disagreed that they had guidance and counselling services at homes. The study revealed that HIV/AIDS patients had good interpersonal relationship with healthcare providers and that healthcare providers gave them adequate information on FDC but patients perceived healthcare providers as not trustworthy. HIV/AIDS patients perceived cost of medications as expensive but could afford cost of transport. It was realized that FDC was convenient to take but it had side effects. It was recommended that patients should freely disclose their status and take FDC as prescribed without focusing on the side effects. Healthcare providers should show care, love and respect through friendly relationship to encourage regular hospital attendance by HIV/AIDS patients in order to increase adherence to medications.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Public Health Degree in Health Promotion and Education, 2015
Keywords
Citation