Abstract
Nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) may lead to viral replication and development of antiretroviral resistance. To identify the factors associated with nonadherence to ART among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA). Cross-sectional study in a tertiary-level hospital in northeastern Brazil. Intake of less than 90% of the antiretroviral drugs prescribed in the last week prior to the interview was defined as nonadherence. Intake was evaluated using a questionnaire. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were conducted on the study population, with estimation of the respective odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of nonadherence was 28.4%. Significant associations were found regarding the following variables: age less than 35 years, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, lack of medication and lack of knowledge regarding the patient's HIV status, on the part of the patient's partner or family. Encouragement of adherence to antiretroviral therapy is one of the fundamental pillars of treatment for HIV-infected patients. The high proportion of nonadherence (28.4%) and the predictive factors related to this indicate that it is necessary to improve patients' adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
Highlights
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) decreases the viral load of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or even renders it undetectable.[1,2] problems relating to adherence to this therapy are practically universal, and adherence is a complex process that requires a multifaceted approach for its improvement.[3]
Nonadherence to antiretroviral drugs may lead to development of viral resistance, which results in increased viral replication and development of opportunistic infections and other diseases, thereby increasing the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection.[4]
Study design and population This was a cross-sectional study that investigated nonadherence to antiretroviral treatment among people living with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) who were treated at the infectious and parasitic diseases outpatient clinic of a tertiary-level hospital (Hospital das Clínicas, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil) in the northeastern region of Brazil between November 2012 and March 2013
Summary
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) decreases the viral load of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or even renders it undetectable.[1,2] problems relating to adherence to this therapy are practically universal, and adherence is a complex process that requires a multifaceted approach for its improvement.[3] Nonadherence to antiretroviral drugs may lead to development of viral resistance, which results in increased viral replication and development of opportunistic infections and other diseases, thereby increasing the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection.[4]. The way in which this adherence to therapy is measured differs between studies. The high proportion of nonadherence (28.4%) and the predictive factors related to this indicate that it is necessary to improve patients’ adherence to antiretroviral therapy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
