Abstract:

The success of the third ninety in UNAIDS 90-90-90 by 2020 depends on the sustainability of antiretroviral therapy by clients on therapy. The therapy is inefficient if there is poor adherence. Due to certain factors, a fraction of the clients is lost from the clinic and they contribute to transmission of new infections. The aim is to inquire into these factors and their contribution to attrition in Anambra facilities.

A quantitative experimental study using a comprehensive purposeful sampling method. From the electronic medical record data of clients who have not been seen in the clinic for 90 completed days from May 2016 to May 2018 was accessed. These clients were disaggregated according to presence of descriptive addresses and phone contacts. Traceable clients were tracked on phone at seven different times over three weeks. Data was collected in an excel sheet and analysed using SPSS version 22.

For a total ever enrolled of 852 clients, there were 12 deaths. 265 clients (31% of total enrolment) that defaulted. 141 (53.5%) were untraceable while 124 (46.5%) were traceable. 29 clients (23.8% of traceable) were on self-transfer. 39 clients (31.7%) promised to return, while 56 clients (44.5%) were uninterested in the therapy.

The defaulter rate in these facilities is high and the fact that majority of these clients cannot be tracked due to poor contact information of clients is a source of concern. The negative effects of faith and economy were as well observed. Quality counselling and dialogues with faith leaders are recommended.

Keywords: attrition, factors, extent, anti-retroviral therapy, Anambra.

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