PSYCHOSOCIAL INTERVENTIONS IN ADHERENCE TO ANTI-RETROVIRAL MEDICATION AMONG ADULTS IN KAJIADO CENTRAL SUB-COUNTY, KAJIADO COUNTY, KENYA
Abstract
Purpose of Study: This study investigated the impact of psychosocial interventions on adherence to antiretroviral medication among adults in Kajiado Central Sub-County, Kenya. It specifically evaluated the effects of structured counseling, motivational enhancement, care coordination, and case management on ARV medication adherence.
Problem Statement: Non-adherence to Antiretroviral (ARV) medication presents a substantial challenge in HIV management globally, with Kajiado Central Sub-County in Kajiado County, Kenya, facing particularly severe issues.
Methodology: The research is grounded in the Theory of Coping, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the Health Belief Model (HBM), employing a mixed-methods approach. The study targets adults living with HIV who access healthcare in public facilities in Kajiado Central Sub-County. A total of 384 respondents are surveyed, selected through stratified and purposive sampling from 23,080 individuals living with HIV in identified health facilities, based on Cochran’s (1977) Formula for sample size determination. .
Result: The findings revealed that structured counseling significantly improves ARV adherence, with an overall effectiveness mean score of 3.99, though there is a need for better community-level counseling and infrastructure. Motivational enhancement shows positive results, with high mean scores of 4.24 for motivational measures provided by facilities and 4.22 for conversations with health officers. Care coordination enhances adherence, with 79.8% of respondents attending monthly appointments and 40.1% agreeing on improved medication management. Case management addresses adherence barriers effectively, focusing on stigma (42.5%) and forgetfulness (40.1%), and suggests increasing ART site accessibility and mobile services to overcome financial and logistical challenges.
Conclusion: Effective ARV adherence is significantly supported by structured counseling, motivational enhancement, care coordination, and case management.
Recommendation: The study recommends expansion of counseling services, enhancing motivational support with personalized approaches and technology, improving care coordination with regular appointments and stigma reduction, and increasing ART site accessibility while addressing logistical challenges.
Keywords: Psychosocial Interventions, Adherence, Anti-Retroviral Medication, Adults
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