Examining factors that influence Anti-Retro viral Treatment (ART) adherence among HIV positive adolescents in Mwanza district- Malawi
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Date
2021-06-16
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Study type
Quantitative study
Statement of the problem
Mwanza district has an adolescent HIV prevalence rate of 2.2% (Mwanza HMIS
office, 2019). Despite having free ART services being offered at the district hospital, it
registered a default rate of 23.2% among adolescents aged 10-19years old. (Mwanza HMIS,
2019). However, there is scarcity of studies that have addressed factors that influence ART
adherence among adolescents in Malawi; therefore this study aims at unveiling factors that
ART adherence among adolescents.
Broad objective
To explore factors that influence ART adherence among adolescents living with HIV
aged 10-19 years old at Mwanza District Hospital in Mwanza district, Malawi.
Specific objectives
To determine individual factors affecting ART adherence among HIV positive
adolescents
To examine family and community factors affecting ART adherence among HIVpositive
adolescents
To assess health system factors affecting ART adherence among HIV positive
adolescents
To determine ART adherence rate among HIV- positive adolescents
Study setting
The study will be conducted at Mwanza District Hospital ART clinic.
Study population
All adolescents aged 10-19 living with HIV/AIDS and on life prolonging ART for
more than six months.
Inclusion criteria
Adolescents aged 10-19 years old on ART for more than six months. Those under 18
years old will be required to have a caregiver to give consent on their behalf.
Exclusion criteria
HIV positive adolescents who are under 18 years old and do not have a caregiver.
Data collection and management
Collected data will be checked for mistakes then it will be entered into Statistical
Package for Social Science Version 20.0 for analysis. Chi- square test will be used to
calculate the association between demographic characteristics of the participants and the
factors that influence ART adherence.
Ethical consideration
An ethical approval will be obtained from College of Medicine Research and Ethics
Committee (COMREC) before data collection. Permission to conduct the study at Mwanza
District Hospital will be sought from Mwanza District Health Office. Caregivers will give
consent for those under 18 years of age and those without care givers will be excluded from
the study.
Study limitations
The study is being done for academic purposes and with limited funds just to achieve
the purpose therefore cannot be done on a large scale.
Expected findings
The study is expected to unveil the challenges that prevent adolescents from adhering
to ART.
Dissemination of findings
Findings from the study will be disseminated through presentation at relevant forums
and presentation of copies to College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee
(COMREC), Kamuzu College of Nursing and Mwanza District Health Office
Description
Keywords
Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE