Socio-Economic Determinants of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV Positive Women in Uganda: A Case of the ART Clinic, Wakiso Health Centre IV, Wakiso District.
ABSTRACT:
The study analyzed the socio- economic determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV positive women in Uganda focusing on Wakiso Health Centre IV. The specific objectives were;
To examine the social and non socio- economic determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy at the ART clinic.
The study adopted a descriptive research design. The descriptive research design was adopted in order to obtain pertinent and precise information concerning the current status regarding the socio-economic determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in ART clinic in order to draw valid conclusions.
A sample of 100 respondents was used. Primary data was collected through personal interviews, key informants and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that economic determinants were are associated with adherence to ART both positively and negatively.
Most of the respondents complained bitterly that they fail to attend at Health Centre appointments properly, take ARVs drugs in proper time but fail to follow doses as required due to low incomes.
Majority of respondents indicated that lack of transport or the fare to travel to the clinic and poor road infrastructure significantly contributed lack of adherence to ART treatment. Non-socio- economic determinants such as health centers and structural impediments also affect adherence.
Majority of respondents indicated that poor or lack of resources in the health centers had influenced their lack of adherence to ART. The study recommends the government through the Ministry of Health to consider amending the ART policy to ensure that there is a clear definition of women involvement.
Currently women view women involvement to mean financial support and having an HIV test as opposed to other interventions in ART, denouncing women stigmatization about their support in ART which can be done through provision of incentives to those women who attend ART. This will also increase women adherence.
The study analyzed the socio- economic determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV positive women in Uganda focusing on Wakiso Health Centre IV. The specific objectives were;
To examine the social and non socio- economic determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy at the ART clinic.
The study adopted a descriptive research design. The descriptive research design was adopted in order to obtain pertinent and precise information concerning the current status regarding the socio-economic determinants of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in ART clinic in order to draw valid conclusions.
A sample of 100 respondents was used. Primary data was collected through personal interviews, key informants and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that economic determinants were are associated with adherence to ART both positively and negatively.
Most of the respondents complained bitterly that they fail to attend at Health Centre appointments properly, take ARVs drugs in proper time but fail to follow doses as required due to low incomes.
Majority of respondents indicated that lack of transport or the fare to travel to the clinic and poor road infrastructure significantly contributed lack of adherence to ART treatment. Non-socio- economic determinants such as health centers and structural impediments also affect adherence.
Majority of respondents indicated that poor or lack of resources in the health centers had influenced their lack of adherence to ART. The study recommends the government through the Ministry of Health to consider amending the ART policy to ensure that there is a clear definition of women involvement.
Currently women view women involvement to mean financial support and having an HIV test as opposed to other interventions in ART, denouncing women stigmatization about their support in ART which can be done through provision of incentives to those women who attend ART. This will also increase women adherence.