Several studies in sub-Saharan Africa have linked social support to better ART (antiretroviral therapy) adherence among adults living with HIV. Less is known about the role of social support and family cohesion in ART adherence among children below 18 years. This paper focuses on HIV-infected adolescents as they transition through the vulnerable developmental stage of adolescence to examine the association between family cohesion and social support, and ART adherence in southern Uganda. We utilized baseline data from Suubi+Adherence study, a five-year randomized longitudinal clinical trial with the overall goal of examining the impact and cost associated with an innovative asset-based social intervention to increase adherence to HIV treatment for HIV-infected adolescents in Uganda. This study employed self-reports to measure social support, family cohesion and ART adherence to treatment from 702 participants in 39 clinics situated in southern Uganda. Regression results indicated that after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics that family cohesion and social support from caregivers/family were associated with self-reported adherence to ART among HIV-infected adolescents. Social support from classmates, teachers, and friends were not associated with ART adherence. Study results suggest that strengthening family relationships and promoting social support within families caring for adolescents living with HIV can be crucial in addressing ART adherence challenges among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa.
Keywords: ART adherence; Social support; Uganda; adolescents; family cohesion.