• Hope C Opara, Peace N Iheanacho, Blessing Nebo, Justin A Ingwu, Chinenye J Anetekhai, and Agnes N Anarado.
• Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology University of Nigeria Enugu Campus.
• Afr Health Sci. 2022 Mar 1; 22 (1): 456464456-464.

BackgroundStrictly adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is needed to achieve viral suppression. Studies have focused on HIV positive pregnant women's adherence. Factors affecting non-pregnant HIV positive women's adherence has been understudied in Enugu.ObjectiveThe study objective was to identify factors affecting adherence to ART among HIV positive women attending retroviral clinic of a tertiary hospital in Enugu.MethodsUsing a descriptive cross-sectional design, a pre-tested structured questionnaire was used for data collection among 286 HIV positive women aged 18 years and above. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics of proportions, percentages, and means. Responses with a mean score of ≥2.5 were taken as important factor affecting adherence.ResultsOverall adherence was 56.2%. Participants were considered adherent if they took ≥95% of their prescribed ART. Lack of transport fare (2.69 ±1.36), long-distance to clinic (2.82±1.26), health workers' poor attitude (2.74±1.28), and lack of partners' and parents' support (2.57±1.05) affected adherence negatively while ease in renewing prescription and minimal side effects of drugs enhanced adherence. Enfuvirtide (21.1%) and Lamivudine (17.4%) were drugs that were mostly skipped.ConclusionsAdherence to ART was low among the women attending the HIV clinic in Enugu. Adherence counseling and education should be provided before ART initiation. Strategies to reduce stigma, increase family support, and improve healthcare providers' attitudes should be employed.© 2022 Opara HC et al.

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