Factors influencing Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among People Living with HIV in an Urban and Rural Setting, Tanzania

Fausta Mosha; Raphael Zozimus Sangeda; David Ocheng; Peter Risha; Victor Muchunguzi; Jurgen Vercauteren; Eligius Lyamuya; Anne-Mieke Vandamme; Eliangiringa Kaale

Fausta Mosha Ministry of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children, Tanzania
Raphael Zozimus Sangeda Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
David Ocheng Health Links Initiative, Tanzania
Peter Risha PharmAccess International, Tanzania
Victor Muchunguzi Ministry of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children, Tanzania
Jurgen Vercauteren Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Belgium
Eligius Lyamuya Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania
Anne-Mieke Vandamme Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Belgium
Eliangiringa Kaale Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania

Keywords: Adherence barriers, antiretroviral therapy, HIV, Tanzania, rural, urban

Abstract

Adherence is one of the most crucial determinants of treatment response to antiretroviral therapy (ART). An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 24 Care and Treatment Centres (CTC) in Dar es Salaam and Iringa regions in Tanzania. Data was collected using questionnaire and appointments records. A total of 943 patients attending at the care and treatment sites in Dar es Salaam and Iringa were recruited. Adherence based on keeping appointments and on four days recall was 65% and 70%, respectively. Adherence based on taking ART more than 95% of the time in one month was 83%. Satisfaction with health services, having treatment support, having knowledge on the use of ART, early presentation to CTC, and being on ART for more than one year, were associated with good adherence. Being in the urban region, using traditional medicine, medicine side effects and alcohol consumption problems negatively associated with adherence to ART.

Author Biographies

Fausta Mosha, Ministry of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children, Tanzania

Ministry of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children, Tanzania
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and
Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Raphael Zozimus Sangeda, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Clinical and
Epidemiological Virology, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania

Anne-Mieke Vandamme, Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Belgium

Centro de Malária e outras Doenças Tropicais and Unidade de Microbiologia, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

Eliangiringa Kaale, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Tanzania

Health Links Initiative, Tanzania