Relationship between risky sexual behaviour and adherence to ART among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV on long-term antiretroviral treatment in Mbombela sub-district, South Africa

Abstract

Background

The prevalence of non-adherence to ART medication is on the rise and resulting in high mortality and morbidity

among older adolescents with perinatal acquired HIV. Furthermore, their engagement in health risk behaviours

such as smoking, alcohol and other drug abuse, sexual risk behaviour’s resulting in unplanned pregnancy. Their

health risk behaviours are associated with poor or non-adherence to medication resulting in viral replication.

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to determine the relationship between risky sexual behaviours and adherence to ART

among adolescents with perinatal acquired HIV at Mbombela sub-district in Mpumalanga province, South Africa.

Methodology

A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to obtain data on adherence and risky behaviours

among adolescents with perinatal acquired HIV. The study population consists of adolescents with perinatal

acquired HIV who are on ART for more than 12 months and came for their follow up visit.

Results

The prevalence of adherence to ART was found to be 73.3%. Younger adolescent (<=17 years) exhibited lower odds

[OR=0.4] of adhering to ART medication compared to adolescents aged at least 18 years. Adolescents with a

steady partner demonstrated reduced odds [OR=0.1] of adhering to ART medication, as did those with a casual

partner [OR=0.2], compared to adolescents without a current partner. Adolescents with fathers that were still alive

demonstrated increased odds [OR=6.8] of adhering to their prescribed treatment (P=0.01). Adolescents who did

not consume alcohol exhibited notably higher odds [OR=7.1] of adhering to their medication.

Conclusion

The study indicated that adherence and risky behaviours remains a challenge on the treatment outcomes of

adolescents with perinatal acquired HIV as reported. The findings of this study can assist public health practice by

providing baseline insight into the association of adherence and risky behaviours among adolescents with

perinatal acquired HIV.