Facilitators and barriers to antiretroviral therapy adherence among Ghanaian patients: a multi-case study of Sunyani municipal and regional hospitals in the Brong-Ahafo Region

Lily Yarney, University of Ghana
Angela Kwakyewa Amankwah, University of Ghana
Chuks Mba, Association of African Universities
Kwame Asamoah, University of Ghana
Justice Nyigma Bawole, University of Ghana

The only remedy to manage AIDS remains ART, making adherence to ART paramount in AIDS management. Non-adherence can impede the sustainability of programmes intended at successful HIV and AIDS care. We studied individual, social and service delivery factors influencing adherence to ART. Mixed method involving 133 participants was used, data were analysed using SPSS version 18.0. There were statistically significant relationship between availability of drugs, privacy, relations with health professionals, counselling services, and adherence to ART ((p = 0.008, p = 0.001, p = 0.008 and p = 0.018 respectively). Although age, gender, and perceived efficacy and need for ART were not significantly related to adherence (p > 0.05 in all cases), qualitative findings indicated otherwise. For AIDS patients, ART is tantamount to life, thus, stakeholders should place priority on availability of ARVs and well trained personnel to deliver efficient and quality services to allay the fears of patients.