Impact of health workers observance of the COVID-19 protocols on medication adherence among persons living with HIV/AIDS attending an ART clinic in Central Hospital Warri, Nigeria

Abstract

The interruption of the continuum of care of persons living with Human Immundeficiency Virus /Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could lead to the worsening of their state. This study assessed the impact of the observance of COVID-19 protocols by healthcare providers on patients’ adherence to their antiretrovirals. This was a retrospective study carried out in Central Hospital, Warri-Nigeria. Patients (18 years and above) attending the Heart-to-heart clinic and receiving Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) for at least six months prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic were included in the study, socio-demographic data , viral load and appointment diaries in the period preceding and during the pandemic were obtained. Descriptive statistics were done for demographic data, relationship between viral suppression and COVID-19 era were determined using a chi squared test, mean difference in appointment visits kept before and during COVID -19 pandemic was determined with the aid of a paired sample t- test. One hundred and fifty-six cases were assessed, mean age was 49.12±0.83, 115 (73.4%) were female, 108(59%) married, self-employment, 93(59.6%), was the commonest means of livelihood and the majority, 132(84.6%), had been on ART for a duration of 11-15 years. There was a significant relationship between viral load suppression and the periods studied (p<0.001), mean appointments kept was significantly higher during than before the COVID-19 pandemic (p=0.002). The observance of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 by healthcare workers did not reduce the level of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).