EACS2023: 170 Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and associated factors among HIV positive adults attending care and treatment in HIV clinic at Al-Jomhoria hospital - Benghazi /Libya A. B. Elhaddad , L. Abdusalam Algamali , A. F. Elhassi University of Benghazi - Faculty of Medicine & Benghazi Medical Centre (BMC), Infectious Diseases, Benghazi, Libya, Al-Jomhoria Hospital - Benghazi, Infectious Diseases, Benghazi, Libya General data Abstract category: Antiretroviral therapy – observational studies Abstract body Purpose: To identify the current rate of adherence and explore factors that influence ART adherence among patients living with HIV (PLHIV) in Eastern Libya. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted on PLHIV and receiving ART; all were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Participants were recruited from April 2018 to March 2019 from the HIV clinic at Al-Jomhoria hospital- Benghazi. Sociodemographics, economics, and laboratory parameters were explored as factors associated with adherence and reasons for missing medication were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data, and inferential analysis was used to determine the relationships between adherence and other variables (level of significance, <0.05). Results: A total of 91 participants were included in the study, 77% were male, and the median age was 40 years. 75(82.4%) of the study participants were WHO disease stage I and most of the participants, 73 (82. 5%) were currently taking antiretroviral therapy with a regimen of Tenofovir, Emitricitabine and Efavirenz combination. About one third of the patients reported side effects after taking the prescribed medication, and anemia was the most common side effects.72.5% of the participants (66/91) were categorized as having good adherence and most of them disclosed their HIV status to their families. Frequently cited reasons for not taking ART medication included forgetting to take medication (36%), transportation issues (28%), and feelings of stigma (24%). Sixty-six adherent patients had a suppressed virus at follow-up, whereas the 25 participants with poor adherence had detected viral RNA at follow-up (p=0.00). Table 1: Patients socio-demographics variables to medication adherence. (N=91) Variable Category- No. (%) Adherence to ART P value Adherent- no. (%) Non-adherent- no. (%) Age (yr.) Age group(yr.) 18-20 6 (6.5) 21-30 31(34.1) 31-40 27(29.6) 4150 15(16.4) 51-60 10(11.0) >60 2 (2.2 4 (66.6) 24 (77.4) 20 (74.1) 7 (46.6) 5 (50.0) 2 (100) 2 (33.4) 7(22.6) 20 (74.1) 8(53.4) 5(50.0) 0(0) 0.146 Sex Male 70 (77) Female 21 (23) 50 (71.4) 16 (76.1) 20 (28.6) 5 (24.9) 0.785 Marital status Single 42(46) Married 36(39) Divorce 2 (2.1) Widow 11 (13) 32 (76.2) 22 (61.1) 2 (100) 10 (91) 10 (24.8) 14 (38.9) 0 (0) 1 (9) 0.154 Educational level Illiterate 4 (4.4) Primary 15 (16.5) Preparatory 15 (16.3) Secondary 27(29.8) University 30 (33) 3 (75) 12 (80) 11 (73.3) 21 (77.7) 19 (63.3) 1(25) 3 (20) 4 (26.4) 6 (22.3) 11 (36.7) 0.720 Duration of treatment in months 6.0–12.0 30 (33) 12.1–24.0 33 (36) ≥24.1 28 (31) 26 (86.6) 25 (75.7) 18 (64.3) 4 (13.4) 8(24.3) 10 (35.7) 0.0134 Residence Benghazi 66(72.5) Outside Benghazi 25(27.5) 46 (69.6) 20(80) 20(30.3) 5 (20) 0.326 Table 2: - Clinical characteristics of the study participants relative to medication adherence. (N=91) Variable Characteristics No (%) Adherent (%) Non-adherent (%) P value Regimen Combination TDF+FTC+EFV 73 (80.2) AZT+3TC+EFV 6 (6.5) TDF+FTC+LPV/r 8 (8.9) TDF+FTC+RAL 4(4.4) 60(82.1) 13 (17.9) 3(50) 3(50) 2(25) 6(75) 1 (25) 3 (75) 0.014 WHO Stage WHO stage I 75(82.4) WHO stage II 9 (9.9) WHO stage III 4(4.4) WHO stage IV 3(3.25) 60 (80) 15(20) 6 (66.6) 3(33.4) 0 (0) 4(100) 0 (0) 3 (100) 0.0325 ART Side effect Yes. 58(64) No. 33(36) 43 (74.1) 15 (25.9) 22(66.6) 11(33.4) 0.490 Regular follow up Yes 65(71.4) No. 26(28.6) 65(100) 0 (0) 1 (3.8) 25(96.2) 0.0001 HIV disclosure Yes 55 (68) No 36 (32) 39 (71) 17(29) 12 (33.3) 24(66.7) 0.008 HIV RNA < 200 copies/ml 66 (72.5) > 200 copies/ml 25 (27.5) 66(100) 0(0) 0(0) 25 (100) 0.005 Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), Emitricitabine (FTC), Efavirenz (EFV), Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine (3TC), Lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r), Raltegravir (RAL), World Health Organization (WHO) Table 3. Reasons provided by non-adherent respondents for missing medication Reason Number (25) Percentage % Forgetfulness 9 36% Transportation issues 7 28% Stigma 6 24% Lack of knowledge of medication 3 12% Conclusions: Medications adherence within the first 6 months of treatment in our patients was suboptimal. Tailored interventions, such as effective psycho-social coping strategies and improving economic levels, should be implemented for people living with HIV to improve medication adherence. General conditions 1. I confirm that I previewed this abstract and that all information is correct. I accept that the content of this abstract cannot be modified or corrected after the submission deadline and I am aware that it will be published exactly as submitted.: Yes 2. I confirm that the submission of the abstract constitutes my consent to publication (e.g. conference website, programmes, other promotions, etc.). : Yes 3. I herewith confirm that the contact details saved in this system are those of the corresponding author, who will be notified about the status of the abstract. The corresponding author is responsible for informing the other authors about the status of the abstract.: Yes 4. I agree that all data provided may be used (saved, stored, processed, transmitted and deleted) in compliance with the privacy policy to provide the services described.: Yes 1 2 1 1 2 86 19TH EUROPEAN AIDS CONFERENCE | WARSAW 2023
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mzc2ODc=