An anti-retroviral therapy adherence of at least 95% has been proven necessary in order for treatment to be effective. Failure to meet this level leads to poor immunological and virological outcome. This study assessed the influence of demographic and socio-cultural variables on non-adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (art) among HIV/AIDs patients attending a government owned hospital in Ondo State, Nigeria using a descriptive research design. A total number 110 respondents were recruited using a convenience sampling techniques. Questionnaire with reliability index of 0.70 was used as an instrument for data collection. Data were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to test the hypotheses. Results were presented in tables and figures. Findings showed that 66(60%) adherence to anti-retroviral therapy which is below 95% adherence rate and 44(40%) do not adhere to ART. The outcome of this study further established that there was a significant relationship between gender (p=0.00), level of education (p=0.00), family support ( p=0.00), cultural factor( p=0.00), religion (p=0.00), employment status ( p=0.00), poverty ( p=0.00) and noncompliance with ART, however, there was no relationship between age (p= 0.26 ), access to clinic (0.31) and non-adherence to ART. This study concluded that, HIV/AIDS patients should therefore be supported in all aspects to promote compliance with the use of Anti-Retroviral Drugs.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Patients, anti-retroviral, non-adherence
