Psychiatric Co-Morbidity and Substance Use Correlated with Medication Adherence Among People Living with HIV (PLWHIV) Attending the Virology Clinic of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH)

Abstract

HIV infection is an endemic communicable chronic disease, of enormous public health concern worldwide particularly, Sub-Saharan African. Substance use and associated psychiatric co-morbidity among the sufferers may affect medication adherence. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the effect of psychiatric comorbidity and substance use on medication adherence among people living with HIV at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 230 Subjects Living with HIV. Sociodemographic questionnaire was used. A structured questionnaire was used to assess use of psychoactive substances. Psychiatric co-morbidity was assessed using the GHQ-12 in conjunction with the DSM 5. The Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) was used to assess medication adherence. Data was analysed using the SPSS version 20. The prevalence of psychological co-morbidity among PLWHIV was 30.6%. Alcohol use disorders was the highest with 73 (31.7%), followed by cigarette smoking 38 (16.5%) while nicotine snuffing was the least with 1 (0.4%). Of the 43 (18.7%) with poor medication adherence, 31 (15.2%) had psychiatric co-morbidity, 26 (11.3%) had substance use, 25 (10.8%) had both psychiatric and substance use co-morbidity while 19 (8.2%) had none (p=0.004). Psychological co-morbidity and substance use are prevalent among PLWHIV, and may affect medication adherence.