Willingness to Take Antiretroviral Drugs in a High HIV Prevalence Setting: The Case of Adults living in Chawama, Lusaka, Zambia
Keywords:
Willingness, Antiretrovirals, HIV, ART Adults, Zambia
Abstract
Background: The willingness to take antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) has been found to be associated with several factors. We investigated the level of willingness to take antiretroviral drugs and factors likely to be associated with willingness among adults living in Chawama Materials and methods: This was a cross sectional study of 409 adult respondents aged 18 years and above recruited by a simple random sampling method. A structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic data and other factors likely to influence willingness. Determinants of willingness and association between variables of interest were examined using multivariate analysis. Results: 52.8% females and 46.9% males participated in the study. The mean age of participants was 31 years (SD±11.60) The response rate was 99%. A high level of willingness was observed with more than 50% of participants willing to take ARVs if they were found eligible for ART. Some of the key factors that were found significantly associated with willingness were, the aspect of being male or female with females being more likely to be willing than males, the perceived effectiveness of ARVs, the need for consent to begin ARV treatment with females being more likely to needing consent than men, and fear of discrimination. Conclusion: There is a high willingness to take antiretroviral drugs among community members suggesting high potential to influence individual acceptability and general uptake of ARVs. Furthermore stigmatizing attitudes and socio-cultural influences towards people taking ARVs still persist and interventions to reduce these influences are needed.References
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8. Gomani P et al (2006) Acceptance of anti-retroviral therapy among patients infected with HIV and Tuberculosis in Rural Malawi is low and associated with
Cost of Transport. The International journal of
Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases, 9(3) 238-47 PUBMED
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12. MOH (2008). Multi-sectoral AIDS Response Monitoring and Evaluation Biennial Report 2006-2007. Government Printers.
13. MOH b (2008). Management of Adult HIV with Antiretroviral Therapy. A Reference Manual for Health Workers. Government Printers.
14. MOH (2007). ARVs, HIV and VCT. Annual Health Statistical Bulletin 2006, November, •pp•24 Government Printers.
15. MOH b (2007). 2007 Antiretroviral Therapy Protocols. Pocket Guide Government Printers.
16. MOH (2006). Scale - UP Plan. HIV Care and Antiretroviral Therapy Services 2006 — 2008. Government Printers.
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18. MOH b (2005). National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Policy. Lusaka Zambia, Government Printers.
19. Montgomery ET et al (2004). Factors ifluencing VCT Uptake & ART acceptance for Zimbabwean Antenatal Women. International Conference on AIDS Bangkok, Thailand abstract no. TuPeD5182. UZ-UCSF, Harare, Zimbabwe.
20. National Aids Council and MOH (2010). Monitoring the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Universal Access. Zambia Country Report Lusaka, Government printers.
21. National Aids Council (2004). Joint Review of the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Intervention Strategic Plan (2002-2005) and Operations of the National AIDS Council. Lusaka, Government printers.
22. NationalAIDS Council (2008). HIV andAIDS in Zambia
a. http://www.avert.org/aids-zambia.htm
23. Padarath et al (2006). Community Participation in HIV and ARV services Journal of South African Health Review pp: 95-104.
24. Rutaremwa G (2004). Individual attitudes, perceptions and beliefs toward HIV/AIDS care, prevention and control in Uganda: cross-sectional evidence from Uganda. International Conference on AIDS (15th: 2004: Bangkok, Thailand). Abstract no. TuPeD5189. Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
25. Schumaker L and Bond V (2008). Antiretroviral therapy in Zambia: Colors, 'Spoiling, 'Talk' and the meaning of Antiretrovirals. An International Journal of Social Science and Medicine. Elsevier Ltd .
26. Siulanda N (2007). HIV/AIDS- In search ofa cure- ARVs Vs Herbal Remedies. Health and Wellness. Panorama Journal.
27. Tsiko S (2004) ARVs Bring New Hope. The Journal of Health Systems Trust http://www.hst.org.za/news/20040417.
28. UNAIDS (1998). Gender and HIV/AIDS http://whqlibdoc.who.int/unaids/1998/gender HIV eng. pdf.
29. (2008). Statistics http://www.who.int/countries/zmb/en/
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31. WHO (2006). Adherence Research. World Health Organization Collaborating Center on Pharmaceutical Policy .
32. WHO (2003). Fact sheet 134. Traditional Medicine.
33. WHO/AFRO (2001). Traditional Medicines Show Encouraging Results' In Management Of HIV/AIDS. PRESS RELEASE WHO STATE
34. Willard S & Angelino A (2008). The Need for Sociocultural Awareness to Maximize Treatment Acceptance and Adherence in Individuals Initiating HIV Therapy. Journal of the international Association of physicians in AIDS cure
35. Shannon K, Bright V, et al (2004) Uptake and acceptance of Uptake and acceptance of Vancouveris downtown eastside.
36. UNAIDS (2008). Report on the global AIDS Epidemic UNAIDS Geneva
37. UNAIDS (1998). Guidance Modules On Antiretroviral Treatments
38. Zuumond M (2008). CAFOD-Adherence to ARVsChallenges and Success A Consultation with CAFOD
Partners and Members of the Catholic HIV/AIDS
Network (CHAN). Research Report
Published
2025-09-23
How to Cite
1.
Munthali S, Michelo C. Willingness to Take Antiretroviral Drugs in a High HIV Prevalence Setting: The Case of Adults living in Chawama, Lusaka, Zambia. Journal of Agricultural and Biomedical Sciences [Internet]. 23Sep.2025 [cited 14Oct.2025];2(2):51-6. Available from: https://journals.unza.zm/index.php/JABS/article/view/1561
Section
Biomedical Sciences
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