Knowledge of and Attitude towards Antiretroviral Therapy among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria

AIM: This study was aimed at determining the knowledge of and attitude towards ARV therapy among People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Ife-Ijesa zone of Osun State, south west Nigeria. METHOD: One hundred and twenty subjects who received ARV drugs at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital Complex, Ile-Ife (OAUTHC) and Living Hope Care, Ilesa (LIHOC) were recruited and studied. Relevant data were collected using an interviewer-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Focus group discussions (FGD) were also held among the subjects to further elicit qualitative information on the knowledge and attitude towards ARV. RESULTS: The age of respondents ranged from 21 to 65 years with a mean age of 40.2±10.3 years. Majority (70.8%) were aged 15 to 44 years, with a female preponderance (male to female ratio of 1:1.9). Respondents had been on ARV drugs for a period ranging between 3 and 60 months. A majority (80.8%) of the PLWHA had good knowledge of ARV drugs while a sizeable proportion (77%) of them demonstrated a positive attitude towards it. Majority of FGD participants reported missing doses of ARV due to forgetfulness, hiding the drugs because of stigma and lack of funds. Marital status, level of education, religious affiliation and regular attendance at support group meeting were significantly associated with good knowledge of and positive attitude towards ARV while duration of commencement of ARV was only significantly associated with positive attitude towards ARV. CONCLUSION: PLWHA in Ife-Ijesa zone of Osun State demonstrated good knowledge of ARV therapy and also displayed a positive attitude towards it. There is a need to reinforce these factors, so that it can translate to good ARV adherence. [TAF Prev Med Bull 2010; 9(3): 201-208]