The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy and Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Among People Living with HIV: A Cross-Sectional Study at CAKAP WPA Turen Foundation

Tri Nurhudi Sasono (Nursing Study Program, Universitas Kepanjen, Malang, Indonesia)
Nia Agustiningsih (Nursing Study Program, Universitas Kepanjen, Malang, Indonesia)
Galuh Kumalasari (Nursing Study Program, Universitas Kepanjen, Malang, Indonesia)
Lintang Puspita Prabarini (Nursing Study Program, Universitas Kepanjen, Malang, Indonesia)
Ainun Hurrotaini (Nursing Study Program, Universitas Kepanjen, Malang, Indonesia)
Lailatul Kodriyah (Hospital Administration Study Program, Universitas Kepanjen, Malang, Indonesia)
Ella Mayasari (Hospital Administration Study Program, Universitas Kepanjen, Malang, Indonesia)
Zahrah Saad (Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Mahsa University, Malaysia)

Journal of Rural Community Nursing Practice
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): September

Background: Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy is essential for people living with HIV(PLHIV) to control viral replication and maintain long-term health. However, maintaining adherence to ARV therapy remains a challenge. Self-efficacy, defined as an individual's confidence in their ability to perform health-related behaviors, may play an important role in maintaining consistent adherence to ARV medication. Purpose: This study aimed to determine the relationship between self-efficacy and adherence to ARV medication among people living with HIV at Yayasan Cahaya Kasih Peduli WPA Turen, Malang Regency, Indonesia. Methods: This study used a quantitative descriptive-analytic design with a cross-sectional approach. The study involved 70 PLHIV selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using a self-efficacy questionnaire and an ARV medication adherence questionnaire. Self-efficacy was categorized as high or low based on the instrument's predetermined cut-off score, while ARV adherence was categorized as adherent or non-adherent based on the adherence instrument's predetermined cut-off score. Data were analyzed using univariate and bivariate analyses, with statistical significance set at p≤0.05. Results: Of the 70 respondents, 48 (68.6%) had high self-efficacy and 22 (31.4%) had low self-efficacy. A total of 52 respondents (74.3%) were adherent to ARV therapy, while 18 (25.7%) were non-adherent. Among respondents with high self-efficacy, 42 (87.5%) were adherent and 6 (12.5%) were non-adherent, compared with 10 (45.5%) adherent and 12 (54.5%) non-adherent among those with low self-efficacy. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between self-efficacy and ARV adherence (p=0.001). Respondents with high self-efficacy had seven times greater odds of adhering to ARV therapy than those with low self-efficacy (OR=7.00; 95% CI=2.20–22.28). Conclusions: Self-efficacy was significantly associated with ARV medication adherence among PLHIV at Yayasan Cahaya Kasih Peduli WPA Turen. Strengthening self-efficacy through continuous counseling, education, peer support, and community-based assistance may support sustained adherence to ARV therapy. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are recommended to determine the effectiveness of self-efficacy-based approaches in improving long-term ARV adherence.