Antiretroviral treatment adherence and its correlates in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the degree of adherence with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), and its correlates among adults with HIV/AIDS in Addis Ababa.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey of consecutive patients attending three ART centers in Addis Ababa complemented by semi-structured audiotaped in-depth interviews with 10 purposively sampled patients on HAART Treatment adherence was defined as self-report of taking > or =95% of therapy correctly in a specified time period, depression measured using Beck's depression inventory, clinical data recorded by reviewing patients' charts, and knowledge about HAART assessed by questions in "Yes"/"No "format.


RESULTS
431 patients on HAART responded 81.2% of patients were > or =95% adherent by self report in the week before the assessment. The major reasons for non-adherence were: being too busy or simply forgot (33.9%) and being away from home (27.5%). Correlates of adherence included having regular follow-up, not being depressed having no side effects, a regimen that fitted the daily routine and satisfaction with the relationship with doctors.


CONCLUSIONS
Self-reported adherence in our study was higher than that seen in developed countries. Recommendations to improve adherence include: provision of regular follow-up for patients, management of depression, forewarning of side effects of HAART, and creating medication schedules appropriate to patients' daily routines.
Tadios
Yonas
Y
Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Addis Ababa University.
Davey
Gail
G
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression; D005002:Ethiopia; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents