Abstract

Human immunodeficiency syndrome ranks among the global worrisome health indices. This study was aimed at determining the effect of social support on medication adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS attending the general out-patient clinic of Kogi State Specialist Hospital (KSSH), Kogi State. A 20-item perceived social support-family scale (PSS-Fa) was used to assess patient’s levels of perceived social support. The number of pills missed were counted and used to calculate their adherence percentage after 4 weeks of medication use. A Morisky medication adherence scale (MMAS-4) was used to strengthen measurement of adherence by pill counting. An association was sought between the mean scores and they were tested for statistical significance. A total of 153 patients were analysed. The largest number of participants was aged between 28 and 37 years. There was a statistically significant association between respondents perceived support and medication adherence (p<0.001). A statistically significant association was recorded between respondents’ social class and perceived social support (p<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant association between other socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, level of education, religion, place of domicile and ethnic groups) and perceived social support of respondents (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference association between family dynamics (marital status, type of marriage, family size and family income) and medication adherence of respondents (p<0.05). There was also no statistically significant association between respondents, family dynamics and perceived social support (p<0.05). A statistically significant association was found between respondents perceived social support and medication adherence. Social class was the predictor of perceived social support among respondents.

Key words: HIV/AIDS, social support, CD4 count, antiretroviral, body mass index.