Medication adherence and social support in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) in Kogi State, Nigeria

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.