People living with HIV/AIDS in the Kibera informal Settlement in Nairobi City, Kenya: Is there any gender difference in Factors related to antiretroviral Therapy?

Objective: To identify gender differences in behavioural factors and treatment related factors of ARV therapy as a predictor to treatment adherence. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: A quantitative study using a standardized PLWHA questionnaire was conducted in the Kibera informal settlement in the capital, Nairobi, Kenya. Data were collected by community health volunteers during home visits in cooperation with ART health facilities. Results: The observed sample consisted of a total of 272 persons living with HIV/AIDS in the Kibera informal settlements, of which 64.3% were women and 35.7% were men. We found a significantly higher rate of the behavioural risk factors cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in men compared to women. There was no significant difference in the factors of patients’ medical history between men and women. A significant difference was found in the source of ARV treatment therapy, travelling costs to ARV treatment facilities, loss of income due to visiting an ARV treatment facility and extra costs related to ARV treatment between the men and women in our study group. Another significant difference was observed in disclosure related factors - the HIV status of the current sexual partner, and the current sexual partner being on ARV therapy and disclosing this information to the current sexual partner. Conclusion: Alcohol drinking and smoking cigarettes were the most common behavioural risk factors and were more prevalent in men. Women significantly dominated in treatment related factors of ARV therapy.