Abstract:
The study assessed adherence of adult female HIV patients to anti-retro viral therapy at
Kajjansi Health Center IV, Wakiso District, Uganda. It was guided by three objectives which
are; i) to investigate socio-demographic factors influencing adherence to anti-retro viral
therapy among adult female HIV patients at Kajjansi Health Center IV, Wakiso District,
Uganda, ii) to explore healthcare system-related factors affecting adherence to anti-retro viral
therapy among adult female HIV patients at Kajjansi Health Center IV, Wakiso District,
Uganda and iii) to examine psychosocial factors contributing to adherence or non-adherence
to anti-retro viral therapy among adult female HIV patients at Kajjansi Health Center IV,
Wakiso District, Uganda. The research study used a cross-sectional survey design focused on
quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect data from 232 respondents who had been
randomly and purposively picked for the sample of which only 221 participated hence
providing a response rate of 95.2%. The study findings revealed a correlation coefficient
between socio-demographic factors and adherence to anti-retro viral therapy =0.721**,
significant at 0.001 level of a two tailed test (r = 0.721, P< 0.05), suggesting a high positive
relationship; a correlation coefficient of 0.436**, significant at 0.001 level of a two tailed test
(r = 0.436, P< 0.05), implying a weak positive significant relationship between healthcare
system-related factors and adherence to anti-retro viral therapy; a correlation coefficient of
0.667**, significant at 0.001 level of a two tailed test (r = 0.677, P< 0.05), implying a high
positive significant relationship between psychosocial factors and adherence to anti-retro
viral therapy. The study concluded that socio-demographic factors and psychosocial factors
as critical factors in influencing adherence to anti-retro viral therapy. It was concluded that
socio-demographic factors, such as income level and education, play a crucial role in shaping
patients' ability to adhere to ART by affecting their access to resources and support. It was
also indicated that the influence of psychosocial support, combined with favorable socio
demographic conditions and effective healthcare system support, creates a more
comprehensive framework for improving adherence rates. Basing on this, the study
recommends that the patients should be encouraged to establish personal reminder systems,
such as setting alarms or using mobile phone applications designed for medication adherence.
It was also suggested that Kajjansi Health Center IV should implement a structured patient
follow-up program that involves regular home visits by healthcare workers to reinforce
medication adherence