title: Predictors of adherence to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV and AIDS at the regional hospital of Sokodé, Togo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is beneficial in reducing the risk of emergence of HIV resistant strains. Adherence to ART among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is influenced by several factors related to the patient, the medication, and health facilities. In Togo, previous studies on adherence to ART have reported good adherence to ART during the first year of follow-up. However these may hide many disparities dues to cultural specificities which may differ across geographic areas of the country. We sought to determine the level of adherence to ART and document the associated factors among PLWHA at the regional hospital of Sokodé, Togo.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was an analytical cross-sectional study conducted from May to July 2013 at the regional hospital of Sokodé among 291 PLWHA who had been on ART for at least three months before the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 291 PLWHA on ART were enrolled in the study. The mean age (±SD) was 37.3 ± 9.3 years and the sex ratio (Male/Female) was 0.4. Among them, 195 (67.0%) were living with their partners and 210 (72.2%) had formal education. Two-thirds (194/291; 66.7%) of the PLWHA interviewed lived in urban areas. The global adherence to ART was 78.4%; the factors associated with ART adherence were: level of education (aOR = 3.54; p = 0.027), alcohol consumption (aOR = 0.43; p = 0.033), ART perception (aOR = 2.90; p = 0.026) and HIV status disclosure to sexual partner (aOR = 7.19; p ≤ 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the level of adherence to ART in this study was higher than those reported in some studies in Sub-Saharan Africa, it remains sub-optimal and needs improvement. This may therefore hinder the implementation of efficient interventions related to access to ART services.
authors.forename: Issifou
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Yaya
authors.affiliation: Division de l'Epidémiologie, Ministère de la Santé, S/C INH - Togo, BP 1396 Lomé, Togo. mlandoh@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Dadja Essoya
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Landoh
authors.forename: Bayaki
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saka
authors.forename: P'Niwè Massoubayo
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Patchali
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wasswa
authors.forename: Abdoul-Samadou
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Aboubakari
authors.forename: Mathias Kouamé
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: N'Dri
authors.forename: Akouda Akessiwe
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Patassi
authors.forename: Koussake
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kombaté
authors.forename: Palokinam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pitche
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D065840:Protective Factors; D012307:Risk Factors; D014037:Togo / Q000453:epidemiology; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring