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Abstract
The Challenges of Adhering to ARV treatment in a resource poor country: A case study of members of AIDS Alliance in Nigeria
Nwoke A.1, Farouk M.1
Introduction: The Federal Government of Nigeria commenced an ARV treatment programme for people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria towards the end of 2001. Members of AIDS Alliance in Nigeria were among the beneficiaries. Mid 2003, the ARV programme was threatened when all the centers ran out of drugs. This research attempts to identify and understand the full impact of the stoppage of drugs on PLWHA on treatment and to provide a comprehensive view of some of the more direct outcomes of this issue on PLWHA. The objective of this study To determine the impact of the abrupt stoppage of the supply of drugs for over five months by the Federal Government treatment centers in Lagos on members of AIDS Alliance who were depending on the Federal Government drugs
Methods: Two methods were used to explore the feelings, perceptions and experiences of PLWHA – Focus group discussions and in depth interviews. Twenty PLWHA (11 males and 9 females) on treatment were selected; 70 members of AAN were interviewed one on one. All the respondents were on receiving treatment at each of the five treatment sites in Lagos
Results: Many PLWHA devised new methods of staying on treatment; this led to under dosage since two people shared one person’s drugs for the month. One person reported having developed resistance. Those who could not afford to buy at the market rates switched to traditional drugs.
Conclusions: Many factors contribute to non-adherence to treatment in a resource poor country like Nigeria. Some of these factors as I have pointed out are availability and accessibility of drugs; these drugs have to be available at the right time and affordable at the right price. This means that people can afford them whether there is a break in the supply of government drugs or not
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
WePe12.7C01
Suggested Citation
"NwokeA., et al.
The Challenges of Adhering to ARV treatment in a resource poor country: A case study of members of AIDS Alliance in Nigeria.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
WePe12.7C01"
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