Comparative Study of Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Amongst Plwha in Selected Districts of Taraba State, Nigeria

People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) benefit from Anti-Retroviral Treatment to reduce transmission and improve quality of life.  Objective This study Compares the level of Antiretroviral Medication Adherence among PLWHA in Selected Districts of Taraba State, Nigeria.  Methods Descriptive Survey was adopted using a validated questionnaire to gather information from 120 PLWHA. This followed ethical Permission from Taraba State Ministry of Health and informed consent from participants. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions were employed in the analysis of data. Paired sample T-test for statistical significance was used to compare means of the variables. Validity and reliability of Instrument were tested with Cronbach Alpha, 0.785.  Results Group A reported age mean score of 35.38 ± 9.061 with age range of 18-44 and 30.60 ± 9.061 (range = 20- 48), for Group B. Majority were married (61.7%) and (57%), females (66.7%) and (72%); self–employed (41.7%) and 37% respectively. While Mumuye ethnic group topped the rank in Group A (28.3%), Jenjo did for Group B but Christians, were highest for both groups (71.7% and 62%) including those with lower educational attainments (56.6% and 57% respectively). Group A reported the level of predisposing factors in HIV treatment (137-point reference scale), 𝑿 = 82.17(2.18) ±11.92 and 𝑿 = 80.90(2.77) ±15.15 for group B with no significant difference (P= 0.720); Reinforcing factors involved in HIV treatment on 15-points reference scale, scored 𝑿 = 9.00(0.65) ±3.65 for group A and 𝑿 = 8.87(0.69) ±3.78 for group B (P=0.869). Enabling factors in HIV treatment on 15-points scale reported for group A, 𝑿 = 8.23(0.46) ±2.50 and 𝑿 = 8.00 (0.51) ±2.77 for group B (P=0.108). Self-Reported Adherence measured on 24-points scale was 𝑿 = 16.23(0.82) ±4.49 for group A and 𝑿 = 17.89(0.91) ±4.99 for group B. Adherence prevalence rate however, was 67% for group A and 74% for group B.  Conclusion It can be observed that Antiretroviral Medication adherence is generally sub-optimal against the recommended 95% adherence level. It is therefore, recommended that Strategically targeted theorygrounded HIV intervention programs will be more effective than the usual clinic-based program for the management of HIV/ AIDS.