Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Pathology, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Background: Majority of HIV/AIDS patients who are on Highly Active Anti Retroviral Therapy
(HAART), are not aware about drug adherence and its importance which is the most important
factor for drug adherence. Objectives: To study the level of drug adherence in patients accessing
antiretroviral therapy (ART) through the National program and factor influencing drug adherence.
Materials and Methods: In present study, we enrolled 102 newly diagnosed patients, among
them in 79 patients, ART was started. To study the drug adherence a pretested, semistructured
questionnaire was formed and patients were followed up for 6 months of the study. Pretest and
posttest counseling was done to all such patients. Results: A total of 28 patients missed the
dose in 1st follow-up, nine patients missed in 2nd follow-up, eight patients missed in 3rd follow-up.
Three patients lost follow-up in 2nd follow-up, three patients further lost follow-up in 3rd follow-up.
Running out of pills (40.0%), side effect (15.5%), and family problem (13.3%), poor transport
facility for taking drug (8.9%) and forgetfulness (11.1%) are five major causes related to miss
dose. In females patients, drug adherence (69%) was initially less than male patients (76%) but
latter on female patients (96.3%) had better adherence than males (95.2%). Conclusion: This
study suggest that drug adherence can be increased by proper counseling and close monitoring
of the patients which may have a great role in preventing the drug resistance and ART response.

Keywords

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