Sociodemographic and Nutritional Factors Associated with Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in PLWHA in Benin

Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is critical for suppression of viral replication, repletion of CD 4 cells, avoiding viral resistance, improving immune response and slowing HIV infection progression. This study sought to measure adherence to ART and to determine its associated sociodemographic, lifestyle and nutritional factors in HIV-infected adults taking antiretroviral (ARV). Using a cross-sectional study design, medical records of 991 HIV positive patients who started antiretroviral therapy from July, 1 st 2011 to June, 30 th 2012 were reviewed. Data were collected in 2014 in 46 HIV/AIDS therapy centers across Benin, The independent variables were sociodemographic, lifestyle, nutritional and therapeutic factors. The main dependent variable was the adherence to the ART. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of 991 PWLHIV, 30.2% showed poor adherence to ARV. Factors associated with ART adherence were social network (p<0.001), gender (p=0.020) and nutritional status based on body mass index (p=0.006). The prevalence of non-adherence to ART was high in PLWHA taking ARV. Efforts are needed to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy in PLWHA in Benin. Intensive adherence counseling should be provided to all patients before initiation of antiretroviral therapy. Health care providers must contribute to social networking in patients and ensuring nutritional support to them.