Assessing Self-Care Practises of People Living With HIV/AIDS Attending the Antiretroviral Clinic of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Abstract

In pursuance of the Global and National Goals of achieving HIV-AIDS epidemic control, it’s imperative to explore the Promotion of self-care management among people living with HIV/AIDS. Self-care management involves adhering to treatment regimens, good dietary patterns, increased physical exercise, social support, and health-seeking behaviours. The study reviewed five core pillars of self-care management: physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, and workplace/professional. A cross-sectional descriptive, analytical study with a quantitative approach was conducted at the Antiretroviral Clinic of the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital from October to December 2020. Using random sampling, 372 people living with AIDS participated in the study. Trained research assistants collected data through a structured questionnaire administered at the antiretroviral clinic. The data was analysed using SPSS version 25.0, employing frequencies, computations, percentages, averages, means, standard deviation, and correlations, with a confidence interval of 95%. The study’s findings indicate that the weighted matrix scores (WMS) for various aspects of self-care were significantly above average, suggesting that PLHIV attending the antiretroviral clinic at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital exhibit good self-care practices. However, psychological and workplace self-care requires some strengthening. The study revealed differences between self-reported appointment adherence and the calculated average appointment gap (3 visits). Associations were found between the average appointment gap and viral load among participants. The study did not establish any significant association between Total Matrixed self-care scores, adherence (appointment gap), or viral load suppression. The COVID epidemic and the nationwide ENDSARS protest in Nigeria during the study period were significant confounders and limitations. Keywords: Antiretroviral drugs, appointment adherence, HIV/AIDS, psychological health, self-care management.