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Background: Antiretroviral medication has been incorporated for HIV-positive patients to live longer and healthier lives, yet the human immunodeficiency virus remains one of the most destructive diseases the world has ever faced. Antiretrovirals play a huge role in mitigating the effects of this serious illness. However, adherence to ARVs is low among adolescents. Evaluating the level of adherence and determining the factors associated to adolescents is a baseline towards reducing the overall burden of HIV. Objective: To assess determinants of adherence to ARV therapy in adolescents living with HIV in the SW region of Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2023 in the Buea and Limbe regional hospitals, including adolescents aged 10 to 19 years receiving ARV treatment for at least 6months before study. Adherence to ARV treatment was evaluated using self-report adherence measurement and the pill count method. Sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial and medical team related factors which could affect adherence were collected. Data were analysed with SPSS version 25 and Statistical significance was set at a p-Value <0.05 and at a 95% CI. Multivariate analysis was used to test for predictions for adherence. Results: A total of 217 patients were recruited with 111(51.2%) females. The modal age group was 15-19. About 125(58.0%) were adherent with self-report adherence measurement and 113(52.1%) were adherent with the pill count method. Having a fixed time to take medications daily (AOR :3.6, [1.598-8.421]), good family support (AOR = 9.171, [1.781-47.221]) and the age group 10 to 14years (AOR: 3.3, [1.202-9.060]) were significantly associated with adherence. Conclusion: About half of adolescents were adherent to their ARV drugs irrespective of the assessment tool used, reflecting the suboptimal level of adherence among adolescents. Interventions to improve adherence should focus on a precise time for medication and a good psychological support relationship with family.
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Naiza Monono (2025) studied this question.