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Abstract
Affordability Of Anti-retroviral Drugs (ARV) Among HIV Positive Persons In Rural Areas of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria
Ogunro P.1, Adeneye A.K.2, Adewole T.A.2, Ogungbamigbe T.3, Musa A.2, Oparinde D.1
Introduction: To assess the ability to pay for anti-retroviral drugs (ARV) and treatment of opportunistic infections (OIs) among HIV positive persons.
Methods: 154 consented HIV positive persons seeking ARV at the Daughter of Charity German Leprosy and Tuberculosis Centre, Iwaro-Oka in Ondo State, South-West Nigeria were interviewed using questionnaires.
Results: Respondents’ ages ranged from 13 to 65 years, mean was 37 years, and earned an average monthly income of N9,603.00 (US$72.75). 72.1% sought care elsewhere before seeking ARV: private hospitals (60.4%), public hospitals (23.4%), traditional healers (15.3%) and NGOs (0.9%). Respondents’ sources of information about ARV included: electronic media (36.4%), family doctors (12.3%), newspapers (12.3%), friends/neighbours (11.7%) and relations (7.8%). None had full blown AIDS but 25.3% had OIs. 64.7% believed treatment would prolong their lives; 17% anticipated the cure for HIV/AIDS. 10.4% had no knowledge of ARV benefits, and 3.2% had strong fears of stigmatization and discrimination consequent to ARV use. While 1.3% perceived the drugs unaffordable, 40.3% wanted them for free, and 12.3% wanted to pay a maximum of N2,000.00 (US$15.15) monthly, compared to N13,000.00 (US$98.48) charged. The average affordable price was N1,034.00 (US$7.83). Respondents’ knowledge on HIV/AIDS was positively associated with education (p < 0.05). Those who had sought care elsewhere and those who perceived ARV as laudable earned higher income than those who had not sought care, and perceived ARV unaffordable. Similarly, more of those unwilling to seek ARV were older than those willing. In contrast, those unwilling to seek treatment of OIs had a lower age score and earned lower income than those willing.
Conclusions: Overall, most respondents who knew the benefits lauded ARV provision. Nonetheless, the drugs need be made affordable particularly for the majority earning low income to enhance accessibility. The results offer insights for ARV programme planning and operationalisation emphasizing the benefits and reducing stigmatisation.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
WePe11.3C02
Suggested Citation
"OgunroP., et al.
Affordability Of Anti-retroviral Drugs (ARV) Among HIV Positive Persons In Rural Areas of Ondo State, South-West Nigeria.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
WePe11.3C02"
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