The objectives of the study were (1) to quantify adherence rate among the study
participants in the ART unit and (2) to identify factors that contribute to non-adherence.
This cross sectional study was carried out at Nekemete referral clinic. Data was
collected using a self-developed structured questionnaire where a total of 338
participants grouped into adherent and non-adherent based on a score derived from an
adherence assessment were interviewed. Data was analysed using the Statistical
Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. By using multivariate analysis of
variables identified as correlates of adherence, non-adherence was common among
those; with age between 18-30 yrs, with no education, who were not married, who had
no pipe water supply, those with no electricity in the house, who perceived had no
access to assistance from providers, who perceived the health care providers (HCPs)
did not keep information confidentially, who had a language barrier with providers, and
who were treated with a psychiatric illness. The study concludes that adherence is
multi-factorial and varies significantly by individual and care setting. Psychosocial
factors were found to impact adherence and should be analysed in more detail by
further studies. Three psychosocial factors were independently associated with poor
adherence: the study found that patients perceiving poor access; those perceiving
problems in information confidentiality (and possibly experiencing stigmatisation); and
having psychiatric morbidity (and possibly with less social support) are more likely to be
non-adherent. Furthermore, individuals without electricity and those without piped water
supply, implying low income, are at risk for non-adherence