Abstract
BackgroundAdequate antiretroviral drug potency is essential for obtaining therapeutic benefit, however, the behavioral aspects of proper adherence and readiness to medication, often determine therapeutic outcome. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level and determinants of nonadherence and nonreadiness to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) at Gondar University Teaching Hospital and Felege Hiwot Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2008 using structured interviewer-administered questionnaire. All consecutive adult outpatients who were receiving antiretroviral treatment for at least three months, seen at both hospitals during the study period and able to give informed consent were included in the study. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with nonadherence and nonreadiness.ResultsA total of 504 study subjects were included in this study. The prevalence rates of nonadherence and nonreadiness to HAART were 87 (17.3%) and 70 (13.9%) respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that medication adverse effects, nonreadiness to HAART, contact with psychiatric care service and having no goal had statistically significant association with nonadherence. Moreover, unwillingness to disclose HIV status was significantly associated with nonreadiness to HAART.ConclusionsIn this study the level of nonadherence and nonreadiness to HAART seems to be encouraging. Several factors associated with nonadherance and nonreadiness to HAART were identified. Efforts to minimize nonadherence and nonreadiness to HAART should be integrated in to regular clinical follow up of patients.
Highlights
HIV/AIDS is the fourth most common cause of death in the world [1] and is estimated to have killed 3.1 million individuals and infected 4.9 million persons in 2005 alone
Area, and period A cross-sectional study was conducted between July and September 2008 at Gondar University Teaching Hospital and Felege Hiwot Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia
Clinical, psychosocial and health service related variables The study subjects were on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for a mean and median duration of 18.9 and 16.5 months respectively
Summary
HIV/AIDS is the fourth most common cause of death in the world [1] and is estimated to have killed 3.1 million individuals and infected 4.9 million persons in 2005 alone. Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART) has dramatically reduced mortality and morbidity due to HIV [4,5] It is effective because it reduces HIV replication and allows the regeneration of CD4+ T-lymphocyte mediated immune responses [6,7]. It cannot, totally eradicate HIV [8,9] and prolonged viral suppression is essential for long-term efficacy of HAART [10,11]. This study aimed to assess the level and determinants of nonadherence and nonreadiness to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) at Gondar University Teaching Hospital and Felege Hiwot Hospital in Northwest Ethiopia
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