Factors associated with viral non-suppression among patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a public health issue with more than 25 million deaths since 1990.  As of 2019, Nigeria has a national prevalence of 1.4% among 15- 49 years and about 1.9 million people living with HIV, according to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. This study assessed the factors responsible for unsuppressed viral load among patients accessing care at Federal Medical Centre HIV Clinic in Abeokuta, southwest Nigeria.

Methods: The study design was descriptive cross-sectional. Data was collected using the qualitative method; an In-depth interview was conducted among 20 virally unsuppressed HIV patients currently on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) at Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta. The participants were purposively selected. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Although almost all the participants were aware of HIV, their knowledge of HIV was inadequate. Non- adherence to drugs, side effects of medications, the psychological effects of the disease, forgetfulness, and combination of anti-retroviral drugs with local herbs and alcohol were the associated factors of viral non-suppression among the patients.

Conclusion: Scaling up psychological care services using Short Message Services (SMS) to improve viral suppression is, therefore, strongly recommended.