title: Association of knowledge on ART line of treatment, scarcity of treatment options and adherence.
abstract: Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is critical piece in the management of HIV infected patients. Despite the benefits of ART, non-adherence to ART persists. This study explores association between patient's knowledge of the ART line of treatment, availability of future treatment options and adherence.
  
  
  
  A cross sectional survey of HIV infected adolescent and adults was conducted. Cumulative optimal and sub-optimal adherence was defined as percentage adherence of ≥ 95 % and < 95 %, respectively. Binomial regression models were used to assess the association of patient's knowledge of the ART line of treatment, availability of future treatment options and adherence.
  
  
  
  Of the 402 patients reviewed, 101 (25.1 %) patients knew their ART line of treatment and were aware that future treatment options are limited. Compared to those who were not aware of the ART line of treatment and/or scarcity of future treatment options, those who were aware were more likely to be adherent (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR], 1.1; 95 % CI, 1.0-1.3).
  
  
  
  The study reports knowledge of patient's ART line of treatment and future treatment options is important indicator of adherence to ART. Although majority of the patients did not have the knowledge, those who had the knowledge demonstrated to be more adherent. It is critical for the physicians/health care providers in these settings to clearly educate patients about ART line of treatment and limited availability of future treatment options as such information is likely to influence individual behavior and improve patient's adherence to ART.
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), P.O Box 3010, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. habibrama@gmail.com.|Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania. habibrama@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Habib O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Ramadhani
authors.affiliation: Duke Global health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muiruri
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC), P.O Box 3010, Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Venance P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Maro
authors.affiliation: Duke Global health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Omondi
authors.affiliation: Kilema Designated District Hospital, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Julian B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mushi
authors.affiliation: Kibosho Designated District Hospital, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Eileen S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Lirhunde
authors.affiliation: Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.|Duke Global health Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bartlett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013636:Tanzania; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: Adherence; Anti-retro-viral; HIV; Knowledge of ART line of treatment