A study of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in a tertiary care hospital at Allahabad, India.

Abstract

Introduction:India has a large proportion of the global HIV-infected patients. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the cornerstone of HIV treatment. Antiretroviral drugs are highly toxic and lead to diverse adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Adherence to medications plays a prominent role in success of the therapy. This prospective study was done to study the adherence and analyze its associated factors.Methodology:The present study was conducted at ART Centre, Swarup Rani Hospital, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Selection of the patients was done based on systematic random sampling method. Baseline enrollment was done over 2 months and follow-up was done monthly over 6 months. Information regarding sociodemographic profile, ART regimen, occurrence of ADRs, adherence to ART and factors affecting adherence was collected. Bivariate logistic regression was done to analyze the association of selected variables with adherence.Results:This study enrolled 163 participants among which 152 participants completed the study. During the study period, 94 participants reported the occurrence of at least one ADR. Nonadherence to ART therapy was seen in 31.6% of patients. The most common reason was forgetting to take the medicine (21.8%) followed by occurrence of ADRs (18.3%). No statistically significant association of nonadherence was found with the selected variables.Conclusion:Comprehensive research to assess nonadherence to ART therapy is the need of the hour. Policy formulations ought to be made to assess and promote effective adherence to enhance the longevity and quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. Concerted efforts by government and intersectoral collaboration are further needed to sustain promotive measures.