An Assessment of the Level of Knowledge of HIV-Infected Patients about Highly Active Antireteroviral Therapy and Waiting Times and Their Influence on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence at a Primary Healthcare Centre of South Africa

Abstract

Abstract:Objectives: The study assessed if the level of knowledge of HIV-infected about HAART and waiting-times in the PHC (primary healthcare) clinic have an influence on antiretroviral adherence. Methods: A descriptive-cross-sectional study was conducted in South Africa. Data collected uses a standardized-questionnaire and face-to-face-exit interviews. Pill-count technique was performed and a value of ≥ 95% acceptable. Data were analysed using SPSS. Univariate-factors associated with poor-adherence to knowledge about HAART and waiting times were assessed using ANOVA and p ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant. Key findings: Of 86 enrolled, 63(73.3%) were females and 23(26.7%) males, with mean-age (± SD) of 35.6(±9.6) years and on HAART for 35.5(± 31.8) months ranging from 1-137. Of these, 27(31.40%) and 25(29.07%) were on WHO stages 2 and 3 respectively. Adherence-rates computed from 32 patients, 23(71.9%) revealed poor adherence-rates. The level of knowledge about HAART in terms of names of tablets, correct-dose, frequency, adverse-effects had no influence on ARV-adherence (p ≥ 0.05). Of 23 non-compliant, 10 (40%) gave the reason of drugs-unavailability, 7(30%) adverse-effects, 5(20%) drugs' complexity, and 1(10%) too busy to take them. Waiting areas associated with poor ARV-adherence were reception (p = 0.028), doctors (p = 0.027), while nurse's station (p = 0.29) and pharmacy (p = 0.43) revealed acceptable ARV-adherence.

The Role of a Pharmacist in the Analysis of Adherence Rates and Associated Factors in HIV-Patients Registered on Centralized Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) Programme in the Public Sector in South Africa

“…Adherence-rates computed from 76 patients revealed 43 (56.6%) having poor adherence-rate. The same outcome was reported by Katende [12] in a study conducted on patients not registered on CCMDD that adherence-rate computed from 32 patients revealed 23 (71.9%) having poor adherence-rates. Of 23 non-compliant, 10 (40%) gave the reason of drugs-unavailability, 7 (30%) adverse-effects, 5 (20%) drugs' complexity, and 1 (10%) too busy to take them.…”