title: Factors Influencing Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among People Living with HIV in Coastal South India.
abstract: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) has transformed life threatening HIV/AIDS scenario into chronic manageable disease.
  
  
  
  In this cross-sectional, 409 People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (PLHIV) aged ≥ 18 years, who were on ART, were assessed regarding the adherence to ART and factors affecting adherence using semi-structured questionnaire. The association between factors affecting adherence and the level of adherence were analyzed using multiple logistic regression model and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported.
  
  
  
  Among 409 PLHIV, 70.4% showed adherence to ART (≥95%). Univariate analysis yielded many factor associated with adherence (P < 0.05). However, on multivariate analysis, PLHIV who do not forget to take ART and not consuming alcohol were the factors consistent with adherence to ART (P < 0.05).
  
  
  
  Regular patient education and counseling regarding the usage of memory aids and abstinence from alcohol could be useful for adherence and long term success of ART among PLHIV.
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: Arjun
authors: A
authors: Banagi Yathiraj
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India unnikrishnan.b@manipal.edu.
authors: Bhaskaran
authors: B
authors: Unnikrishnan
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: John T
authors: JT
authors: Ramapuram
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: Nithin
authors: N
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: Prasanna
authors: P
authors: Mithra
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: Vaman
authors: V
authors: Kulkarni
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: Ramesh
authors: R
authors: Holla
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Darshan
authors: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College (Manipal University), Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
authors: Rekha
authors: R
authors: Thapar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: ART; HIV/AIDS; South India; adherence