Determinants of Adherence to Option B+ Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV Positive Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinics at Tertiary Health Institutions in Anambra State

Abstract

Purpose: The study ascertained determinants of adherence to option B+ antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at tertiary health institutions in Anambra state.
 Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive design was adopted in conducting the study among HIV positive pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at tertiary health institutions in Anambra state. A sample size of one hundred and forty six (146) HIV positive pregnant women was selected by purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Adult AIDS Clinical Trial Group (AACTG) standardized questionnaire was used in data collection which were analyzed with IBM SPSS software database (version 25). Chi square was used for test of hypotheses at p < 0.05 level of significance.
 Findings: Results revealed that the women with parity less than 4 (105(89%) were more adherent to ART; the women with primary education as highest level of education (13(92.9%) were more adherent to ART; the women within the age range 15-25 years (32(97%) were adherent; the women working in the informal sector (31 (96.9%) were more adherent to ART. The study also showed that there is no significant relationship between the women’s level of education, parity, age and adherence to ART but there is significant relationship between the women’s occupation and adherence to ART. From the study, it was ascertained that the HIV positive pregnant woman’s parity, level of education and age are not determinants of adherence to Option B+ ART but occupation of the women is.
 Recommendations: Health care providers or mentor mothers in the health care facilities should give more attention to the HIV positive pregnant women working in the informal sector and unemployed than the women working in the formal sector in regards to their adherence to ART.