Psychosocial factors associated with ART adherence among older adults living with HIV in the Free State Province, South Africa
1
1 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina, United States
2
2 Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
3
3 Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
4
4 Free State Psychiatric Complex, Free State Department of Health, Bloemfontein, South Africa
5
5 Department of Psychiatry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Due to improvements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and treatment access, the prevalence of older adults living with HIV (OALH, aged 50 and older) is increasing worldwide (1) and in Sub-Saharan Africa (2). ART adherence is crucial in attaining and maintaining viral suppression. Research has shown that ART adherence may be impacted by psychosocial factors such as depression (3), HIV-related stigma (4), and resilience (5). However, research assessing these relationships among OALH in South Africa is scarce. Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine the associations between psychosocial factors and ART adherence among OALH in the Free State Province, South Africa.
METHODS:
Data were obtained from 382 OALH attending primary health care clinics around the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Participants were asked: “In the last 30 days, how often did you take your ARVs in the way you were supposed to?” Response options were on a Likert-type scale ranging from 0 (Never) to 5 (Always). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population. Multivariable linear regression models (adjusted for age, sex, education, employment, marital status, and language spoken) were used to determine the association between depression, HIV-related stigma, resilience, and quality of life, and ART adherence.
RESULTS:
The mean (SD) value for ART adherence in the past month was 3.88 (1.85) with a range of 0 to 5. ART adherence differed by language spoken. Multivariable models showed that depression (B= -0.07; 95% CI: -0.12, -0.01) was negatively associated, and resilience (B=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06) and quality of life (B=0.72, 95% CI: 0.45, 1.00) were positively associated with ART adherence. There was no statistically significant association between stigma and ART adherence.
CONCLUSIONS:
Intervention programs geared towards reducing depression and increasing resilience and overall quality of life may improve ART adherence among OALH, especially in the Free State Province.
Due to improvements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) and treatment access, the prevalence of older adults living with HIV (OALH, aged 50 and older) is increasing worldwide (1) and in Sub-Saharan Africa (2). ART adherence is crucial in attaining and maintaining viral suppression. Research has shown that ART adherence may be impacted by psychosocial factors such as depression (3), HIV-related stigma (4), and resilience (5). However, research assessing these relationships among OALH in South Africa is scarce. Therefore, the aims of this study were to examine the associations between psychosocial factors and ART adherence among OALH in the Free State Province, South Africa.
METHODS:
Data were obtained from 382 OALH attending primary health care clinics around the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality. Participants were asked: “In the last 30 days, how often did you take your ARVs in the way you were supposed to?” Response options were on a Likert-type scale ranging from 0 (Never) to 5 (Always). Descriptive statistics were used to describe the study population. Multivariable linear regression models (adjusted for age, sex, education, employment, marital status, and language spoken) were used to determine the association between depression, HIV-related stigma, resilience, and quality of life, and ART adherence.
RESULTS:
The mean (SD) value for ART adherence in the past month was 3.88 (1.85) with a range of 0 to 5. ART adherence differed by language spoken. Multivariable models showed that depression (B= -0.07; 95% CI: -0.12, -0.01) was negatively associated, and resilience (B=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.06) and quality of life (B=0.72, 95% CI: 0.45, 1.00) were positively associated with ART adherence. There was no statistically significant association between stigma and ART adherence.
CONCLUSIONS:
Intervention programs geared towards reducing depression and increasing resilience and overall quality of life may improve ART adherence among OALH, especially in the Free State Province.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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