Adherence to HAART is necessary to achieve the best virologic response and lower the risk of drug resistance amongst People
living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). However, there is limited documentation of adherence amongst patients on HAART in the
south-south region of Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of adherence to HAART amongst
PLHIV in a rural setting in Cross River State. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 393 patients on HAART
attending the Heart to Heart centre Ugep using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Adherence was measured via self
report and patients were termed adherent if they took at least 95% of prescribed doses. The self reported adherence rate based on
a one week recall was 50.4%. The main reason for skipping doses were being busy (50.6%), simply forgetting to take
medications (43.8%) and religious constraints (16%). Perceived improved health status [OR 2.7; CI: 1.37-5.39], Non use of
herbal remedies, [OR 1.8; 95% CI: 1.23- 2.64] and ARV regimens devoid of dietary instructions [OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.07- 2.06]
were significant predictors of adherence. The adherence rate reported in this study was low. Appropriate adherence enhancing
intervention strategies targeted at use of simplified ARV regimens and discouraging herbal use is strongly recommended