Motivational Groups Support Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and use of Risk Reduction Behaviors in HIV Positive Nigerian Women: A Pilot Study

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Marcia McDonnell Holstad, Emory University; James E. Essien, University of Houston; Ernest Ekong, Institute for Health Research and Development; Melinda K Higgins, Emory University; Ilya Teplinskiy, Emory University; Modupe Falilatu Adewuyi, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-09-03
• Publisher: Women's Health and Action Research Centre (WHARC)
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: @ 2012 Women's Health and Action Research Centre, Benin City, Nigeria
• Final Published Version (URL): http://www.ajrh.info/vol16_no3/16_3_article2.php
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: African Journal of Reproductive Health
• ISSN: 1118-4841
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 3
• Start Page: 14
• End Page: 26
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported in part by the Emory Center for AIDS Research, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (P30 AI050409).
• Keywords: Adherence; HIV+ Women; Nigeria; Motivational interviewing; Risk behaviors
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Nursing

Abstract

Nigerian women comprise the fastest growing group of persons with AIDS in Africa. Antiretroviral therapy has transformed the course of HIV/AIDS to a treatable, chronic illness worldwide. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy of a group intervention using motivational interviewing (MI) to promote adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and use of risk reduction behaviors (RRB) among HIV-infected women in Nigeria. Recruited participants (n=60) were randomly assigned to the motivational group or the health promotion program (HPP) control group. The 6 month follow-up results indicate that, compared to the control group, MI participants reported significantly higher levels of adherence to ART, higher knowledge of HIV, higher use of condoms/protection during sexual encounters and decision-making not to have sex when no protection was available. The MI participants also had fewer mean number of sexual partners. MI in group format shows promise in promoting adherence to ART and use of RRB in HIV-infected Nigerian women.