Relationship between spiritual wellbeing and medication adherence among adults attending the antiretroviral therapy clinic of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos

Abstract

Introduction: HIV causes AIDS, which is a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, that can trigger deep spiritual questions about the meaning of illness, purpose of life, and relationship with God. When people living with HIV/AIDS take their medications, the virus is exposed to inadequate concentrations of antiretroviral medications. Spirituality assessment is increasingly becoming an important assessment for people with illnesses like HIV/AIDS, especially for evaluating the ART usage and for finding solutions to identified barriers influencing adherence to ARVs.

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between spiritual wellbeing and medication adherence of adults attending the ART Clinic of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos.

Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional analytic study carried out in the ART Clinic of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos. A systematic random sampling method was used to select 372 consenting adults attending the ART clinic, who fulfilled the selection criteria. A semi-structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which was analyzed with the SPSS, version 22.

Results: Majority of the study participants were between 18 and 49 years old. The prevalence of medication adherence in this study was 34.1%. More than half of the study participants had a high spiritual wellbeing score. Most of the clients were diagnosed with HIV for 1 - 10 years and had been on ART for about the same period. There was a significant relationship between spiritual wellbeing, educational status (p = 0.000) and high medication adherence of the study participants (p = 0.000).

Conclusion: Non-adherence to antiretroviral drugs was common at Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jos. The findings of this study illustrate the necessity for Researchers, Clinicians and Policy makers to understand the perspectives and relevance attributed to spirituality/religiosity by HIV/AIDS clients. Family Physicians should use every encounter with HIV/AIDS patient to screen for their medication adherence and spiritual wellbeing.