Self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV+ population from Bata, Equatorial Guinea

Abstract

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) represent a serious public health problem in Equatorial Guinea, with a prevalence of 6.2% among adults. the high-activity antiretroviral treatment (HAART) coverage data is 10 points below the overall estimate for Sub-Saharan Africa, and only 61% patients continue with HAART 12 months after it started. This study aims to assess HAART adherence and related factors in Litoral Province of Equatorial Guinea. In this cross-sectional study, socio-demographic and clinical data were collected at Regional Hospital of Bata, during June-July 2014. Adherence to treatment was assessed by using the Spanish version of CEAT-VIH. Bivariate and linear regression analyses were employed to assess HAART adherence-related factors. We interviewed 50 men (35.5%) and 91 women (64.5%), with a mean age of 47.7 ± 8.9 and 36.2 ± 11.2, respectively (p < .001). Overall, 55% patients had low or insufficient adherence. CEAT-VIH score varied by ethnic group (p = .005). There was a positive correlation between CEAT-VIH score and current CD4 T-cells count (p = .013). The Cronbach's α value was 0.52. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess HAART adherence in Equatorial Guinea. Internal reliability for CEAT-VIH was low, nonetheless the positive correlation between the CEAT-VIH score and the immunological status of patients add value to our findings. Our results serve as baseline for future research and will also assist stakeholders in planning and undertaking contextual and evidence-based policy initiatives.

Pharmaceutical care and evaluation of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV/AIDS

“…As women historically seek health care more than men, this fact may have been responsible for female prevalence in research. A study conducted in 2015 in West Africa (Salmanton-Garcia et al, 2015) showed that the frequency of infected women (64.5%) was similar to that found in this study. Age, mean age (Silva et al, 2017;Foresto et al, 2017), schooling and income were similarly reported by other authors (Foresto et al, 2017).…”

Treatment Adherence of Tuberculosis Patients Attending Two Reference Units in Equatorial Guinea

“…This data doubles the co-infection rate registered by Tudo and collaborators in 1999 in the country [ 20 ]. Given the high prevalence of infection by HIV in EG, with 6.2% of the population in reproductive age infected [ 21 ], it would be desirable to introduce screening for latent tuberculosis infection in HIV patients, ensuring proper adherence to antiretroviral therapy, which in EG is available free of charge [ 21 ]. In addition, proper follow up of HIV infection can cause a greater compliance, as describe in a retrospective cohort study based in Yaoundé (Cameroon) [ 14 ].…”

Qualidade de vida, adesão e indicadores clínicos em pessoas vivendo com HIV

“…Da mesma forma que o Brasil, outros países também utilizaram o CEAT-VIH para avaliar e classificar a adesão ao tratamento, no entanto, nenhum outro estudo internacional ultrapassou os 32% de adesão estrita encontrado nesta pesquisa. (7,8,11,12) Esse resultado é reflexo do sistema de saúde do Brasil e sua política universal de controle da epidemia do HIV.…”

“…(3) Visando o alcance da longevidade prevista pelo uso adequado da TARV, a adesão ao tratamento deve manter-se adequada ao longo dos anos, resul-tando na supressão viral das pessoas vivendo com HIV. (4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12) A supressão viral advinda desse tratamento deve ser concomitante ao alcance de QV semelhante às pessoas que não vivem com HIV. (3) Dessa forma, existem condições na vida das pessoas que vivem com HIV que influenciam negativamente na QV, implicando no aumento de morbidade, mortalidade e custos.…”