title: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of HAART is to achieve maximal and durable suppression of virus replication. Adherence plays a very important role in success of antiretroviral therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To find out the rate of adherence and factors that influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was conducted in the Department of Medicine in a tertiary care hospital from November 2007 to September 2009. Patients attending ART centre OPD and started on ART for at least 6 months were included in the study. A pretested proforma and MMAS adherence questionnaire of every patient was used for data collection. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors associated with adherence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 300 patients attending ART OPD and satisfying inclusion criteria were studied. Adherence rate of >95% was reported by 290 (97%) patients. On MMAS scale 78% of the patients were found adherent to the treatment. On multivariate analysis factors such as age, addictions, difficulty in remembering treatment, finding treatment to be difficult, taking traditional medicines and having no one to remind about medicines were found to be associated with nonadherence. The most common reason for nonadherence were missing pills while travelling or being out of home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adherence to antiretroviral treatment in the ART centre is high. During counseling sessions giving up addictions, avoiding traditional medicines, addressing the apprehensions about treatment, and identifying reminder systems should be emphasized. The patients should be advised to carry medications while traveling and when away from home.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, AIIMS, Delhi.
authors.forename: Anant
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gokarn
authors.forename: Meenakshi Gangadhar
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Narkhede
authors.forename: Geeta Shrikar
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Pardeshi
authors.forename: Mohan Kondiba
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Doibale
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008568:Memory; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents