Assessment of pharmaceutical care services provided to HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy in Rivers state, Nigeria

Pharmaceutical care of HIV infected persons on antiretroviral therapy is pertinent in optimal management to achieve viral suppression and improve immune status. The objective of the study was to assess pharmaceutical care services provided to HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy. A prospective, cross-sectional study was carried out among 217 pharmacists giving pharmaceutical care services to HIV positive patients in Rivers State, Nigeria. Data collection tool was a structured, pre-tested questionnaire used to assess pharmaceutical care services carried out by pharmacists. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS version 20 and Microsoft Excel. Most of the respondents were female (62.8%). More than half (59.9%) of the subjects involved in provision of pharmaceutical care to HIV infected patients were practicing in the hospital setting. Most respondents (77.8%) did not monitor for drug therapy problems (DTPs), while most (89.9%) did not document interventions to identified drug therapy problems. Majority of respondents (90.3%) established rapport with patients to improve adherence. Most respondents (72.5%) had regular supply of antiretroviral drugs in their health facility. Pharmaceutical care services rendered to HIV infected patients on antiretroviral therapy was sub-optimal. Identification of DTPs and respective interventions, involvement in general patient management, and documentation of activities were the most affected.