TITLE:
Factors of Adherence to Concurrent Tuberculosis Treatment and Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-TB Co-Infected Individuals in the East Region, Cameroon in the COVID-19 Era: A Retrospective Cohort Study
AUTHORS:
François Anicet Onana Akoa, Ulrich Dama, Jean Ndibi Abanda, Alphonse Tedonge Asobochia, Melkior Fobasso Dzeuta, Pearl Nsom Mbu, Yokyu Zachary Pangwoh, Pierre Yassa Yoniene
KEYWORDS:
Factors of Adherence, Tuberculosis Treatment, Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV-TB Co-Infection, East Region, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.16 No.2,
February
29,
2024
ABSTRACT: Context/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection is a serious health problem in Cameroon. The problems associated with
poor adherence to treatment are on the increase worldwide. This problem
can be observed in all situations where
patients are required to administer their own medication, whatever the type of illness. The general objective of
this study was to assess the factors affecting adherence to treatment
among HIV-TB co-infected patients in health
facilities in the East Region in the COVID context. Method: A retrospective
cohort study before and during COVID-19 was conducted in HIV care units in 13 health districts in the East
Region of Cameroon. Data were collected using a questionnaire recorded
in the Kobo Collect android application, analyzed
using SPSS version 25 software and plotted using Excel. Results: The pre-COVID-19 cohort compared to the during-COVID-19 cohort had a 1.90 risk of not adhering to
treatment (OR: 1.90, CI {1.90 - 3.37}) and
the difference was statistically significant at the 5% level (p-value = 0.029).
Frequency of adherence was 65.4% (140/214). Adherence before COVID-19
was 56.9% whereas during COVID-19, it was 74.3%. Conclusion: The implementation of targeted interventions in the COVID-19
context, using evidence-based data and
integrating the individual needs of HIV-TB co-infected patients, improved adherence to concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment and antiretroviral
therapy during the COVID-19 Era.