Adherence to isoniazid preventive therapy for tuberculosis among HIV patients in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the most common opportunistic infection among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. It is a major cause of mortality among patients with HIV and poses a risk throughout the course of HIV disease. Adherence to isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is a critical factor that needs to be considered in scaling up services in developing countries. Objectives: The study aimed to assess adherence and associated factors to IPT among HIV patients in Kano. Methods: Using a cross-sectional study design, interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 320 HIV patients from two comprehensive health centers (CHCs). Results: Up to two-third, 211 (65.9%) of the participants were aware of the use of isoniazid for the prevention of TB among HIV/AIDS patients, but only about half 172 (53.8%) of the respondents interviewed were currently using IPT for TB prevention. Up to 158 (89.5%) of the 172 respondents interviewed had good level of adherence to IPT and the main reasons to enhance adherence were disclosure of HIV status to partner/relatives (77.9%), adequate counseling about IPT (62.8%), and awareness of IPT for TB prevention (65.9%). Conclusion: Good level of adherence to IPT from this study implies that the need for improve strategies to ensure IPT scale up as adherence to IPT among HIV clients in Kano is optimal, but uptake remains low.