STATUS DENIAL AND STIGMATIZATION ON ADHERENCE TO ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY AMONG HIV POSITIVE ADOLESCENTS IN BENUE STATE

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of status denial and stigmatization on adherence to ART among HIV positive adolescents in Benue State. This study adopted cross-sectional survey design where 338 HIV positive adolescents in Benue State were used. They comprised of 146 (43.2%) males and 192 (56.8%) females. Their ages ranged from 10-18years with a mean age of 14.438 (SD=2.663). This study employed the use of proportionate sampling to draw the sample for the study. This study used the HIV Status Denial Scale, AIDS Related Stigma Scale and the Self-reported Adherence to ART Questionnaire. The hypotheses raised in this study were tested using simple linear regression, and standard multiple regression analyses. The results showed that there was a significant influence of status denial on adherence to ART among HIV positive adolescents in Benue State. The results also showed that there was a significant influence of stigmatization on adherence to ART among HIV positive adolescents in Benue State. The results showed that there was a significant joint influence of status denial and stigmatization on adherence to ART among HIV positive adolescents in Benue State. It was recommended that adherence counselors in HIV clinics should expand their service to re-emphasize helping HIV positive adolescents to accept their positive status as part of their lives. Secondly, to tackle stigmatization which has been identified as a barrier in adherence to ART in Nigeria, there is need to promote the adoption of human rights approach and strengthening the Anti-Discrimination Law