Antiretroviral therapy non-adherence and its association with psychosocial factors in Nigeria: comparative study of sexual minority and heterosexual men living with HIV

ABSTRACT

Sexual minority men (gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men; SMM) in Nigeria are disproportionately affected by HIV compared to heterosexual men. There is a dearth of research on the correlates of antiretroviral therapy (ART) non-adherence and correlates in both groups. The current study examined the associations of ART non-adherence with sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics among a sample of Nigerian heterosexual and SMM. Between March and September 2014, we surveyed 120 SMM and 108 heterosexual men receiving ART in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. We specified univariate and multivariable linear regression models to examine correlates of ART non-adherence. We found that 50.8% and 29.6% of sexual minority and heterosexual men respectively self-reported ART non-adherence which was significantly associated with psychosocial factors such as stigma, depressive symptoms, and suicidality. Mental health care and psychosocial support should be incorporated into routine HIV care for Nigerian SMM living with HIV.

KEYWORDS:

• Nigerian sexual minority men
• ART non-adherence
• psychosocial adversity
• HIV

Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good health and well-being
• SDG 10: Reduced inequalities

Acknowledgements

In memoriam of Professor F. O. Fatoye, who contributed to the conceptualization of this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Ethics approval

Approval for the study was obtained from the Ethics and Research Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals’ Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife with registration number ERC/2014/02/01.

Consent to participate

Written consent was obtained from the participants after the aims and objectives of the study were explained to them. Permission was also obtained from the NGOs whose clients participated in the study. Individuals with varying degrees of depressive symptoms and/or suicidal ideation were appropriately counselled and referred for specialist care.

Authors’ contributions

Conceptualization: OAO, AAI, OA, MSK; Data collection: OAO, AM; Data analyses: OAO, AAI, OO; Interpretation of results: all authors; Preparation of first manuscript draft: OAO, AAI, OA; Critical review of final draft: all authors.

Availability of data and material (data transparency)

Data not publicly available.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.