Original Articles
Vol. 9 No. 1 (2026)
A comparison of adherence to antiretroviral medications in Human Immunodeficiency Virus depressed and non-depressed patients
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Received: 19 May 2023
Accepted: 5 May 2025
Accepted: 5 May 2025
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A high level of adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) of at least 95% is needed for optimal suppression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)’s RNA. Non-adherence's consequences have severe implications for managing People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Adherence predicts virologic outcomes in a dose-dependent manner. Depression is the most prevalent psychiatric disorder among PLHIV with a prevalence of 17% in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
To determine and compare the prevalence of non-adherence to Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs among depressed and non-depressed patients with HIV on ART.
The study was conducted in Kano, Nigeria, at an HIV clinic located within a tertiary hospital. The study was a comparative cross-sectional study that enrolled 130 depressed and 130 non-depressed PLHIV.
Statistically significant associations were found between depression and ART regimen type, Central Penetration Effectiveness (CPE), and pill burden. The prevalence of non-adherence among HIV depressed was 29.3%, while it was 23.6% among non-depressed using the adherence questionnaire.
Depressed HIV patients have less adherence compared to non-depressed patients. It is recommended that consultation-liaison psychiatry is integrated into HIV treatment and care.
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How to Cite
“A Comparison of Adherence to Antiretroviral Medications in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Depressed and Non-Depressed Patients”. 2026. Pyramid Journal of Medicine 9 (1). https://doi.org/10.4081/pjm.2026.344.
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