Amb motiu del tancament d'estiu, la validació de documents es reprendrà a partir del 28 d'agost de 2026. Disculpeu les molèsties.
Con motivo del cierre de verano, la validación de documentos se reanudará a partir del 28 de agosto de 2026. Disculpad las molestias
Due to the summer closure, document validation will resume starting August 28, 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Files

nyogea2015_1819.pdf (465.42 KB)

Document type

Article

Version

Published version

Publication date

2015

Publication license

cc by (c) Nyogea et al., 2015
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/68706

Determinants of antiretroviral adherence among HIV positive children and teenagers in rural Tanzania: a mixed methods study

Journal Title

Authors

Director/Tutor

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Related resource

http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12879-015-0753-y

Abstract

Background: Around 3.3 million children worldwide are infected with HIV and 90% of them live in sub-Saharan Africa. Our study aimed to estimate adherence levels and find the determinants, facilitators and barriers of ART adherence among children and teenagers in rural Tanzania. Methods: We applied a sequential explanatory mixed method design targeting children and teenagers aged 2 inverted question mark19 years residing in Ifakara. We conducted a quantitative cross sectional study followed by a qualitative study combining focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs). We used pill count to measure adherence and defined optimal adherence as inverted question mark> inverted question mark=80% of pills being taken. We analysed determinants of poor adherence using logistic regression. We held eight FGDs with adolescent boys and girls on ART and with caretakers. We further explored issues emerging in the FGDs in four in-depth interviews with patients and health workers. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic content analysis. Results: Out of 116 participants available for quantitative analysis, 70% had optimal adherence levels and the average adherence level was 84%. Living with a non-parent caretaker predicted poor adherence status. From the qualitative component, unfavorable school environment, timing of the morning ART dose, treatment longevity, being unaware of HIV status, non-parental (biological) care, preference for traditional medicine (herbs) and forgetfulness were seen to be barriers for optimal adherence. Conclusion: The study has highlighted specific challenges in ART adherence faced by children and teenagers. Having a biological parent as a caretaker remains a key determinant of adherence among children and teenagers. To achieve optimal adherence, strategies targeting the caretakers, the school environment, and the health system need to be designed.

Subject

Infants, Adolescents, Persones seropositives, Antiretrovirals

Subject (English)

Children, Teenagers, HIV-positive persons, Antiretroviral agents

Citation

Collections

Articles publicats en revistes (ISGlobal)

Citation

NYOGEA, Daniel, et al. Determinants of antiretroviral adherence among HIV positive
                children and teenagers in rural Tanzania: a mixed methods study. BMC Infectious Diseases. 2015. Vol. 15, num. 1. ISSN 1471-2334. [consulted: 14 of August of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/68706

Export metadata

JSON - METS

Share record