Episodic medication adherence among adolescents with Human Immuno Deficiency Virus (HIV): Roles of parental involvement and peer pressure in receiving treatments in Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined parental involvement and peer pressure as predictors of episodic medication adherence during treatment among adolescent patients living with HIV in Lagos State. A cross-sectional design was employed with 181 patients undergoing HIV treatment. Data collection utilized the self-reported Perceptions of Parent Involvement Scale, Peer Pressure Questionnaire, and Medication Adherence Report Scale. Hypothesis one revealed that parental involvement significantly predicted episodic medication adherence during home treatments among patients living with HIV (F (1,180) = 179.156; p < .05, R = .867, R² = .751). Hypothesis two showed that peer pressure significantly predicted episodic medication adherence during home treatments among patients living with HIV (F (1,180) = 152.328; p < .05, R = .677, R² = .458). Hypothesis three revealed that both parental involvement and peer pressure significantly predicted episodic medication adherence during home treatments among patients living with HIV (F (2,179) = 265.357; p < .05, R = .865, R² = .748). It is recommended that providing compliance tools for caregivers, such as technologies like smartphone apps and calendars, can offer convenient reminders for medication schedules. Additionally, linking medication times to daily activities such as waking up in the morning or brushing teeth could prove beneficial for both caregivers and the adolescents involved in their own therapy.