Determinants of adherence to antiretroviral drugs among people living with HIV/AIDS in the Ife-Ijesa zone of Osun state, Nigeria

intRoDuction The development of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs has transformed HIV/AIDS to that of a chronic manageable disease. Studies have reported improved quality of life of PLWHA on ARV therapy (ART), reduced progression of the disease and declining mortality from the pandemic.1,2 However, strict adherence is required to achieve therapeutic success in HIV management. Paterson et al. suggest that near-perfect adherence, that is, higher than 95%, is necessary to achieve suppression of HIV replication (HIV-RNA < 400 copies/ml).3 Other data, however, suggest that adherence levels of 100% achieve even greater benefi ts.4,5 Inadequate viral suppression resulting from failure to adhere closely to treatment causes a worsening of immunological and clinical states, which may eventually lead to emergence of drug-resistant HIV strains.6