Determinants of adherence to anti-retroviral therapy among discordant couples in Usigu Division, Bondo sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

Objective: To establish the determinants of adherence to ART among discordant couples in Usigu Division, Bondo sub-County. Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Comprehensive Care Clinics within Usigu Division, Bondo sub-County. Subjects: All HIV infected patients in a discordant relationship enrolled in comprehensive care clinics within Usigu Division. Results: The total number that were tested were 383, 172 (44.96%) of the respondents were tested for HIV as a couple before learning that they were in a discordant relationship. Of the respondents (295/383), 77% who were satisfied with health information given by healthcare providers, only 26% adhered to ART therapy. Conclusion: Key messages to encourage PrEP use by HIV-negative partners need to be developed and refined as a bridge to sustained ART use by the HIV-positive partners.