Roles of family dynamics on adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV/AIDS at a tertiary hospital in Osogbo, south-west Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has been proven to be the only effective treatment for HIV/AIDS worldwide. Good adherence to HAART might require good family support. Objective: To determine the family dynamics and social support of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and its roles on HAART adherence at an ARV treatment clinic in Osogbo, Nigeria Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Consenting PLWHA on HAART were interviewed using pre-tested semistructured questionnaire incorporating Perceived Social Support-Family Scale and Family APGAR. HAART adherence was measured using patient self report. Results: A total of 379 PLWHA were interviewed. Their mean age was 40.8 (SD=9.9) years. Most (60.7%) were females. More than half (55.7%) were currently married and the majority (72.1%) had secondary education and were Yoruba (86.3%). Most respondents (95.5%) were adherent to HAART. Over 90% were satisfied with support received from their family while 82.3% were treated like other family members. Most attributed their HAART adherence to the care and support received from their family. Conclusion: Most PLWHA had good social support and were adherent to HAART.

'Experience talks, resilience shapes' revisiting historic trauma: impact on treatment in indigenous males living with HIV/AIDS in British Columbia

“…Consistent with previous studies, it was shown in this study that adherence to HAART can be promoted by family and friend's support (Afolabi, Afolabi, Afolabi, Odewale, & Olowookere, 2014;Stubbs, Micek, Pfeiffer, Montoya, & Gloyd, 2009). Family and friends support helps to develop confidence in oneself and in taking HAART medication, brought about healing, and built in patients a conviction to live.…”

“…Various studies, including the present one, show that stigma/discrimination is still prevalent in many on-reserve communities with many people denying the presence of HIV (Goodyear & Loutfy, 2015; Ministry of Health Living and Sport, 2010) and either not wanting to care for or neglecting patients altogether (Afolabi et al, 2014). Due to the fear of stigma/discrimination, most HIV-infected patients do not return to their communities.…”

“…This may be a better explanation as most previous studies have shown family members as major stakeholders in promoting HAART adherence in the management of HIV/AIDS patients (Afolabi et al, 2014;Chongo et al, 2011). However, even if services may be available in reserve communities, the prevailing stigma is compounded by power differentials that culminate into a lack of cultural safety and a negative impact on HAART adherence.…”

“…For those who return, most may not disclose their HIV diagnosis or take their tablets in the presence of family members. The situation is made worse as maintaining secrecy about the diagnosis or taking medication is difficult in small communities (Afolabi et al, 2014;Vervoort et al, 2007;Wong, Lavoie, Browne, MacLeod, & Chongo, 2015).…”

Influence of Family Dynamics on Medication Adherence among Hypertensive Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in South-West Nigeria

“…Social support networks inform of greater support from families, friends and communities is linked to better health. [25][26][27] In conclusion, because barriers to medication adherence are complex and varied, solutions to improve adherence must be multifactorial, the finding from our study stresses the importance of functional family and strong family support as important factors influencing medication adherence among hypertensive patients. We therefore recommended based on the outcome of this study that family dynamics should be thoroughly verified in each of physicians' consultation before prescribing medications so as to improve adherence to medications and each consultation should be used to advocate for strong family tie.…”