Nigerian health workers' views concerning factors influencing paediatric adherence to anti-retroviral therapy

Abstract

Few studies have focussed on paediatric ART adherence in Nigeria, probably because of ethical challenges involved in studying children. The study aimed to identify factors influencing paediatric ART adherence, as perceived by healthcare workers providing ART services in two cities in Nigeria. Knowledge about such factors would be used to formulate recommendations for enhancing paediatric ART adherence in Nigeria, for facilitating the tasks of the healthcare workers and for enhancing the ART programme’s effectiveness. An exploratory descriptive qualitative research design was used to identify and describe healthcare workers’ views in Kano and Lagos, Nigeria. Three focus group discussions were conducted at two clinics providing free paediatric ARVs. The transcribed data were analysed using the framework approach of data analysis. Healthcare providers perceived poverty, illiteracy, stigma, discrimination, inappropriate care approaches, and parental dynamics as factors influencing paediatric ART adherence. Paediatric ART adherence levels in Nigeria could be enhanced by emphasising paediatric ART adherence counselling and adopting a comprehensive family centred care approach, improving free paediatric ART services, empowering parents and reducing stigma and discrimination.