Factors associated with antiretroviral treatment default at Citimed Hospital, Zimbabwe

Oct 15, 2026

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Zimbabwe’s HIV prevalence fell from 24% to 14%, yet continued antiretroviral treatment (ART) default remains a serious challenge at Citimed Hospital. The study determined factors linked to ART default, identified causes of missed visits, and assessed clients’ knowledge of the importance of adherence. Using a quantitative design, 60 respondents were selected via systematic random sampling and data were collected with a structured questionnaire. Transport barriers, time constraints, unemployment and lack of funds, and knowledge deficits were key findings. Recommendations include multidisciplinary patient-centred approaches, patient education, and support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background to the study

Problem statement

Purpose

Objectives of the study

Significance of the study

Theoretical framework

African Educational Research Journal Vol. 5(4), pp. 215-220, October 2017 ISSN: 2354-2160 Full Length Research Paper Factors associated with antiretroviral treatment default at Citimed Hospital, Zimbabwe Choto M and Chitura M* Faculty of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe Open University, Zimbabwe. Accepted 10 October, 2017 | ABSTRACT
While the HIV prevalence rate in Zimbabwe dropped from 24 to 14%, a lot of people continue to live with the virus. Anti-retro Viral Treatment was introduced in the country to prolong lives. The objectives of the study were to determine the factors associated with antiretroviral treatment (ART) default at Citimed hospital, establish the causes of default and to ascertain clients’ knowledge about the importance of adhering to ART. This was necessitated by a preliminary analysis of the 2015 data at Citimed hospital which revealed that out of 1200 clients who had registered for ART, about 10% of the clients had defaulted treatment since 2013, when it opened its doors to cater for ART clients. This raised a lot of concern among ART clinic programme managers on why that was happening. A quantitative research was conducted. Respondents were identified using systematic random sampling to come up with a sample size of 60 respondents. A structured questionnaire was used for data gathering. Results are presented in tables and pie-charts as well as narratives for descriptive statistics. The major findings included lack of transport to visit the hospital, time constraints as the employee could not be readily released from work to visit the hospital, unemployment resulting in lack of funds and knowledge deficit. The major recommendations to the ART facilities included implementation of the multi-disciplinary centred approach, establishing patient education programmes and patient support.
Keywords: Anti-retroviral treatment, defaulted, treatment adherence. | | --- | | *Corresponding [author. E-mail: miriamchitura@yahoo.com](author. E-mail: miriamchitura@yahoo.com). | INTRODUCTION Long term regular follow up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an important component of HIV care. Patients who are lost to follow-up (LTFU) while on treatment compromise their own health and the long term success of ART Programmes. Background to the study Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) have become some of the most destructive plagues in the history of mankind. The deadly effects of HIV and AIDS are felt all over the World (Van Dyk, 2011) . The HIV prevalence rate in Zimbabwe dropped from 24 to 14% according to the 2017 survey report by the Zimbabwe Population Based HIV Impact Assessment (ZIMPHIA) . The situation in Zimbabwe is of great concern with an adult prevalence rate among the 15 to 49 age group ranging from 11.7 to 14.9% . The ART has greatly improved the lifespan and quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS. Van Dyk (20 11) agrees that for the successful management of the HIV and AIDS epidemic, it is imperative that the condition be treated and accepted as a chronic disease. Wasti (2012) maintained that ART provides relief for infected individuals by reducing the likelihood of opportunistic infections rather than curing the disease. Van Cutsem (20 1 1) indicated that patients lost to followup may be at high risk of death. Unstructured interruption of treatment can lead to the development of drug resistance. An understanding of the reasons for not returning to care is important to the design of a cost effective ART programme (Brinkhof et al. , 2009) . Problem statement A preliminary analysis of the 2015 data at Citimed revealed that out of the 1200 clients who had registered on ART, about 10% of the clients had defaulted treatment since 2013, when it opened its doors to cater for ART clients. Clients who defaulted came back to hospital unwell and some have since passed on. This raised a lot of concern among ART Clinic programme m

FAQs

What was the study designed to investigate at Citimed Hospital?

The study examined factors associated with antiretroviral treatment default among ART clients at Citimed Hospital, including the causes of default and clients’ knowledge about adherence.

How was the study conducted and who were the participants?

A quantitative approach was used. Respondents were selected using systematic random sampling to obtain a sample size of 60, and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data.

What were the major factors linked to ART default reported in the results?

Key findings included lack of transport to visit the hospital, time constraints due to difficulty being released from work, unemployment leading to insufficient funds, and knowledge deficits regarding adherence.

Oct 15, 2026

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