“Factors associated with antiretroviral therapy defaulting among HIV positive youth in Mzimba south, Malawi”. by Isaac Paul Kasalu

Kasalu, Isaac Paul

“Factors associated with antiretroviral therapy defaulting among HIV positive youth in Mzimba south, Malawi”. by Isaac Paul Kasalu

Date

8-10-21

Authors

Kasalu, Isaac Paul

Publisher

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Abstract

Thetype of research study:The researcher proposes to conduct a case control studyto identify factors associated withAnti-retroviraltherapy(ART)defaulting among the Human ImmunodeficiencyVirus (HIV)positiveyouthsaccessing HIV carein MzimbaSouth Districtof Malawi. The problem:There is evidence thatART defaulting is highest amongHIV positiveyouth in Malawi. Studies conducted in someparts ofMalawiindicatethatbetween 11 and 30 per 100HIV positiveyouthsdefault ART. ART defaulting has been associated with development ofdrug resistance in individuals enrolled onART. This could lead to increased morbidity and mortality of HIV positive clients due toresurgence ofopportunistic infections. In addition,an ARTresistant strain of HIVcan be transmitted from one patient taking ARVs to anotherthrough unprotected sexual intercourse.Evidencesuggeststhat physical, psychological,socialeconomic,demographic and health facilityfactors can contribute to ART defaulting.Nevertheless,there is scarcity of reportedevidence regarding specific factorsthat contribute to ART defaulting among the youth in Mzimba.Thisstudy therefore,aims atassessingfactorsinfluencingARTdefaulting in HIV positive youth enrolled onARTinMzimba. Objectives:The main objective of this study is to determine factors contributing to defaulting amongHIV positive youth enrolled on antiretroviral therapy in Mzimba South District.Specific objectives are:to determine prevalence of ART defaulting among the youth living with HIV in Mzimba South district;to assess patient (physical, psychological) related factors influencing ART defaulting among the youth in Mzimba South;to assess availability of communitysocial support initiativesfor youth on ART program;to identify healthfacilityinitiativesfor youths accessing HIV care in Mzimba Southand to identify risk factors for ART defaulting among the youth accessing HIV carein Mzimba South District. Methodology:Thisstudy will utilizeaquantitative,case control design.A sample population of 411HIV positive youth(137cases and274controls) attendingan HIV careclinic will be recruited. BothART defaulters and non-defaulterswill beenrolledinthis studyusing stratified random sampling technique.Data will be collected using astructured questionnaire.Datawill be analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS)version 20.0.Chi-squareandbinary logistic regression will be carried out to establish relationship between ART defaulting and the independent variables. Expected findings anddissemination:It is expected thatthis study will identify specific factors that contribute to defaulting of treatment among the youth livingwith HIVandAIDSin Mzimba South.Findingsfrom this studywill be disseminated to the health facility management and care providers in respective facilities where the study will be conducted.Furthermore, resultswill be shared to the District ExecutiveCommittee (DEC)for M’mbelwa council, Kamuzu College of Nursing,College of medicine research and ethics committee (COMREC)and other research seminars. The manuscripts shall also be prepared for publication.