THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SELF-ACCEPTANCE AND ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL (ARV) THERAPY AMONG PATIENTS LIVING WITH HIV

Abstract

Self-acceptance plays an important role in enabling people living with HIV (PLWH) to adapt to their diagnosis and maintain adherence to lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, evidence regarding this relationship from the perspective of Orem's Self-Care Theory remains limited. This study aimed to examine the association between self-acceptance and adherence to ART among PLWH. A correlational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted among 31 PLWH receiving care at the HIV Care, Support, and Treatment Clinic of Gedongan Primary Healthcare Center, Mojokerto, Indonesia. Self-acceptance was assessed using the Berger Self-Acceptance Scale, while ART adherence was measured using the Probabilistic Medication Adherence Scale (ProMAS). Data were analyzed using Spearman's rank correlation. The findings showed that 54.8% of participants had low self-acceptance, whereas 61.3% demonstrated moderately high ART adherence. A significant positive correlation was identified between self-acceptance and ART adherence (r=0.588; p=0.001). These findings suggest that improving self-acceptance may enhance adherence to ART and should be considered an integral component of comprehensive HIV care.