title: Personal factors influencing patients' adherence to ART in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
abstract: Our study attempted to identify personal (patient-related) factors influencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A quantitative, descriptive design was used. Structured interviews were conducted with 355 HIV-infected patients on ART. The findings revealed that stigma, discrimination, depression, and alcohol use negatively affected patients' ART adherence levels. However, patients' knowledge levels had no influence on their ART adherence levels, contrary to other researchers' reports. Addressing stigma and discrimination at community levels might enhance patients' abilities to take their medications in the presence of others. Health care professionals should be educated to diagnose and treat depression in patients during the early stages of ART administration. Patients who are nonadherent to ART should be counseled about potential alcohol abuse. Stigma-related challenges also need to be addressed.
authors: Tefera
authors: T
authors: Negash
authors: Valerie
authors: V
authors: Ehlers
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057545:Social Stigma; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: Ethiopia; HIV infection; adherence; antiretroviral; antiretroviral treatment; depression; discrimination; stigma