Effects of sociodemographic status, HIV disclosure, and self-reported adherence on treatment outcome among HIV/AIDS patients in south-western Nigeria

Abstract

Background. HIV/AIDS is still a leading cause of death and a health threat to millions worldwide. Objectives. To assess the effects of sociodemographic status, HIV disclosure, and self-reported adherence on treatment outcome among patients living with HIV in south-western Nigeria. Methods. Four hundred and forty participants were recruited from six secondary health facilities offering antiretroviral therapy (ART) services in Osun State. A multistage sampling technique was used to select eligible participants. The level of significance was set at p<0.05. Results. Of the participants, less than half (42.0%) had good knowledge on HIV and ART services, while 73.0% had good treatment adherence, about one-quarter (20.7%) had been stigmatised or discriminated against, and 58.4% had disclosed their status to their sexual partner; 75.5% of the partners were supportive afterwards. Treatment outcome was favourable for 86.4% of the participants, and there was a significant relationship between marital status and viral load suppression (p=0.003) and between adherence and viral load suppression (p=0.001). Participants with good adherence were 2.6 times more likely to have a favourable treatment outcome than those with poor adherence. Conclusion. Adherence and marital status were found to be significantly associated with suppressed viral loads among people living with HIV.