A comparison of adherence to antiretroviral medications in Human Immunodeficiency Virus depressed and non-depressed patients

Abstract

A high level of adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) of at least 95% is needed for optimal suppression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)’s RNA. Non-adherence's consequences have severe implications for managing People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Adherence predicts virologic outcomes in a dose-dependent manner. Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder among PLHIV with a prevalence of 17% in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To determine and compare the prevalence of non-adherence to Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs among depressed and non-depressed patients with HIV on ART. The study was conducted in Kano, Nigeria, at an HIV clinic located within a tertiary hospital. The study was a comparative cross-sectional study that enrolled 130 depressed and 130 non-depressed PLHIV. Statistically significant associations were found between depression and ART regimen type, Central Penetration Effectiveness (CPE), and pill burden. The prevalence of non-adherence among HIV depressed was 29.3%, while it was 23.6% among non-depressed using the adherence questionnaire. Depressed HIV patients have less adherence compared to non-depressed patients. It is recommended that consultation-liaison psychiatry is integrated into HIV treatment and care.