Adherence to Anti-Retroviral Prophylaxis in HIV Exposed Infants Attending Clinic in a Tertiary Hospital in North-West Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs are the mainstay for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection as well as prevention of HIV spread from infected mothers to their uninfected children, otherwise known as HIV exposed infants. The aim of the study was to assess adherence to anti-retroviral prophylaxis in HIV exposed infants attending clinic in a tertiary hospital in north-west Nigeria. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess adherence to ARV prophylaxis among 85 HIV exposed infants receiving care at a tertiary hospital in north-west Nigeria. The infants were selected through systematic random sampling technique, and an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data. The data was analysed using computer software, IBM SPSS version 23. Results obtained were presented in frequency tables and charts. Results: Up to 43 (50.6%) of the infants were between 6-12 months old. There were 49 (57.6%) male infants. Seventy-two (84.7%) of the infants were enrolled at birth. Most 72 (84.7%) of the infants received ARV prophylaxis at birth. Majority, 64 (75.3%) of the infants were on ARV prophylaxis for a duration of six weeks, and 18 (21.2%) were on the ARV prophylaxis for up to 12 weeks. The majority, 73 (84.9%) of the HIV exposed infants, never missed a single ARV dose. In 9 infants, (75.1%) who missed ARV dose(s), their caregivers forgot to give them the drugs. Conclusion: Adherence to ARV prophylaxis among the HIV exposed infants was suboptimal. Forgetfulness of the caregivers was the main reason for non-adherence to ARV prophylaxis among the HIV exposed infants in the study site. Caregivers should be taught and encouraged to use alarm reminders to improve adherence to ARV prophylaxis.