title: Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Iranian HIV/AIDS Patients
abstract: Treatment adherence of 95% or higher is recommended for appropriate therapeutic response and
  improving the function of immune system in HIV positive patients. To the best of our knowledge, there was report of
  adherence to HAART regimen from Iran. In the present study, we have reported the HAART adherence rate of Iranian
  HIV positive patients.
  
  
  
  In a twelve-month period, all patients older than 18 years old who referred to HIV clinic were on HAART regimen
  enrolled in the study. Beside demographic and clinical characteristics of Iranian HIV positive patients, Adherence to HAART
  was assessed by self-report and pill count methods at during the three consecutive months of the patients’ visits.
  
  
  
  The mean of patients’ adherence to HAART regimen based on the self-report method was 69.4%, 64.6% and
  62.8% in the first, second and third month of follow up, respectively. The mean of adherence rates in three months followup
  assessed by self-report (65.5%) and pill count (60.4%) methods were correlated significantly (r=0.93 and p<0.001).
  Living with family members, changing the HAART regimen and stage of disease had a significant relationship with
  adherence rates.
  
  
  
  Although the adherence level of Iranian HIV infected patients is acceptable compared to other countries, the
  available antiretroviral medications are limited in our country, therefore, encouraging patients to have higher levels of
  adherence is more important.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalili
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Roxane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rohani
authors.affiliation: Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
authors.forename: Seyedahmad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seyedalinaghi
authors.affiliation: Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
authors.forename: Mahboobeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajiabdolbaghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Simin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dashti-Khavidaki
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Azita Hajhosssein
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Talasaz
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents