Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2016

Anti–Retro Viral Therapy Drug Adherence: A Descriptive Study

Maj Jilmy Anu Jose

Abstract :

Background: Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has an estimated adult prevalence of 0.31 in India. Anti retro viral drugs (ART) are the treatment of choice in HIV and non adherence is an important factor in treatment failure and development of resistance. Several research studies shows that the average ART adherence is 70% whereas the required adherence should be more than 95%. Objectives: Objectives of the study were to assess the level of knowledge regarding ART, drug adherence, association between knowledge and adherence and the factors affecting drug adherence among PLHA (People living with HIV/AIDS) visiting ART centre of the medical college. Methods: A cross sectional descriptive study using a structured interview questionnaire was conducted from Oct 2011 to Nov 2011 among 84 PLHA registered to ART centre under NACO attached to a medical college. Structured interview questionnaire included demographic data, knowledge questions on ART, adherence measurement using Morisky adherence scale and pill count method and the factors affecting adherence. Data was analyzed using SPSS 16 statistical analysis software. Results: The mean knowledge percentage score of the PLHA was 66.6% which falls in to good category. Mean ART adherence was 80.35% with standard deviation of +12.86. Knowledge regarding ART and drug adherence shows a highly significant association (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The results have shown that the knowledge and the adherence among PLHA were satisfactory but not reached the optimum desirable level. Improving adherence requires collaborating with the patient in an effort to understand and ameliorate individual impediments to adherence, by dedicating valuable time with every patient to educate, plan for adherence and maintain support and collaboration throughout the course of treatment.

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Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

Maj Jilmy Anu Jose Anti-Retro Viral Therapy Drug Adherence: A Descriptive Study International Journal of Scientific Research, Vol : 5, Issue : 1 January 2016

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