1Professor and Head, Dept. of Community Medicine, JIIU's Indian Institute of Medical Science and Research, Warudi village, Taluka, Badnapur, Maharashtra
2Professor, Dept. of Pathology, JIIU's Indian Institute of Medical Science and Research, Warudi village, Taluka, Badnapur, Dist. Jalna, Maharashtra
3Professor and Head, Dept. of Community Medicine, CAIMS, Bommakal, Karimnagar, Andhra Pradesh
Online published on 11 November, 2013.
With the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART), dramatic decrease in mortality among HIV infected people has been reported. Unfortunately, non-adherence remains a formidable barrier in the management of HIV, at least 95% adherence to medication is required for sustained response.[1]
To determine the adherence to antiretroviral drugs among patients on ART.
A hospital based cross-sectional study was performed at ART Center, Dist. Hospital from July to December 2010 by selecting all HIV patients on ART for more than six months duration.
Total 467 patients were reported to ART were selected for study. The mean age was 37.59 (SD=12.24) years, and 79% of participants aged between 21 and 40 years. 55.24% (n = 258) of participants were male and 44.76% (n = 209) female. Less than one percent (0.43%) of patients missed their medications in the last week, 1.72% in the last month, 2.78% in the last six months, and 3.21% since commencing treatment, in a setting of a mean time on ART of 19.85 months.
The level of adherence to ART was found to be very high. It indicates that ART center is working efficiently.
Adherence, ART, HIV, south India
