JOURNAL OF LIAONING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
(NATURAL SCIENCE EDITION)
LIAONING GONGCHENG JISHU DAXUE XUEBAO (ZIRAN KEXUE BAN)
辽宁工程技术大学学报（自然科学版）
KNOWLEDGE AND COMPLIANCE WITH ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY AMONG REPRODUCTIVE AGED WOMEN IN EKITI STATE
EMMANUEL Abimbola Adenike, FADARE Risikat Idowu
Abstract
Adhering strictly to antiretroviral medication is necessary to achieve the greatest possible decrease in HIV/AIDS symptoms. Despite the efficacy of these treatments, noncompliance difficulties have hindered the ability of several individuals living with HIV to get benefits from antiretroviral therapy This study aimed to assess the compliance with antiretriviral therapy (ART) among reproductive-aged women in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The specific objectives included determining the proportion of compliant women at two teaching hospitals, evaluating the level of compliance, and assessing their knowledge of ARV therapy. A descriptive, cross -sectional survey design, was employed to conduct the research among HIV-positive women attending ART clinics in Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado-Ekiti and Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido-Ekiti. The study utilized a total enumeration sampling to recruit 119 consenting respondents, using a self-administered, validated questuionnaire and checklist for data collection. The validity and reliability of the instruments were determined through expert review and test-retest methods respectively. Ethical approval was obtained from relevant committees and participants. Data. was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Result revealed that. 42% of respondents demonstrated average compliance, while 58% exhibited high compliance. 32% had average knowledge, and 68% had high knowledge. There was a significant positive relationship between knowledge and compliance with ARV therapy (r = .503, p = .000). It was recommended among others that health authorities and community organizations should implement programs to strengthen social support networks for individuals on ARV therapy, including family and community-based support initiatives.
Keywords: Knowledge, Compliance, ARV Therapy, Reproductive Aged Women