Factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Andhra Pradesh, India
Date
2019-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medip Academy
Abstract
Background: An important factor to effectiveness of ART is good adherence to treatment. This study aims to investigate the adherence levels to ART among people living with HIV (PLHIV) attending a Government ART centre in Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh, India.Methods: A cross sectional study was done among 1000 adult PLHIV receiving ART. Out of nearly 4500 patients on ART we selected 1000 patients by simple random sampling technique. The average of adherence for a period of 2 years and socio demographic details were taken from the patients treatment card. Chi square test was performed to find out significant difference between the socio-demographic variables and adherence level < 95%.Results: Out of 1000 patients, 53.9% were male. 42.2% were in age group 31 to 40 years. 50.1 % had adherence >95%. Major factors influencing poor adherence were: decrease in weight (OR=18.65, p=0.000); decrease in CD4 counts (OR=20.12, p=0.000), presence of opportunistic infections (OR=12.67, p=0.000), WHO stage 3 and 4 illness (OR=6.50, p=0.000), travel distance to ART >50 kilometres (OR=1.94, p=0.000), smoker (OR=1.82, p=0.000),being illiterate (OR=1.72, p=0.000), and alcohol consumption (OR=1.58, p=0.001).Conclusions: Careful monitoring of weight, CD4 counts and opportunistic infections can help to identify poor adherence early.
Description
Keywords
Adherence, ART, CD4 Counts, Literacy, Smoking, India
Citation
Bonu Naga Raju, Anusuya Ganesh Shanmugasundaram, Lakshmi V. Hari, Johnson Casper, Ezhil Radhakrishnan, Ravi Rama, Ronaki Ramesh, Jagan Mangavalli, Rao Mohan, Purohit Sangeeta, Purohit Prashant . Factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Andhra Pradesh, India. International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health. 2019 Mar; 6(3): 1010-1014