SEXUAL HEALTH PROMOTION 3HIV suppression, overall health improvement, reduction in the risk of drug resistance, survival and quality of life as well as a decrease in the transmission of the disease Mountain et al (13). Quinn, Sanders, and Petroll (3) denote that poor adherence is the primary cause of therapeutic failure. The same study denotes that the adherence to ART medication is vital and a primary determinant of long-term outcome in patients living with HIV. For most chronic illnesses such ashypertension or diabetes, the regimens of drugs remain effective even when treatment is resumedafter a period of interruption. For HIV infection, however, loss of virologic control due to lack of sufficient ARV load in the blood can result in the emergence of drug resistance as well as the loss of future treatment options. Therefore, ost of the patients initiating Antiretroviral Therapy orare taking therapy can maintain a consistent level of adherence depending on the resultant viral suppression, improved clinical outcomes, and CD4 recovery as pointed out by Giannattasio, Albano, and Guarino (4). Other patients, however, tend to have poor adherence from experience periodic lapses or onset of the treatment process and over the lifelong process of treatment. As a result, the identification of patients with adherence-related challenges who need attention and implementation of appropriate strategies that can help them in enhancing adherence is an essential role of every member of the treatment team. From a patients’ perspective, Naar-King et al. (7) denote that nonadherence is a consequence of behavioral, psychosocial, and structural barriers. These include high alcohol consumption level– subjective), mental illness, low health literacy, stressful life events, low social support, and stigma among others. It is hence clear why the behavioral theory postulates that the behavior of an individual is influenced by the environment which in turn influences the healthy decision-making and action of the individual. In a systematic study, Hussen et al. (6) denote that adherence to HIV medication (tends to be) influenced by factors such as prescribed

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