Assessment of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-Infected Persons in the Ministry of National Defense Force Hospitals, Addis Ababa and Debreziet
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Date
2005-04
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
A stratified cross-sectional survey supported by qualitative approach was conducted on 422 HIVinfected
persons receiving antiretroviral regimens from the Ministry of National Defense Force
Hospitals, in Addis Ababa and Debrezit.
The study was focused on the assessment of adherence to ARV therapy among HIV-infected persons
from October 2004 to March 2005.
The study group consists of three categories namely Officers, private and non-commissioned officers
and civil.
All 422 HIV-infected patients received ARV treatment for a mean duration of 3.7 months, were
interviewed using pre-tested questionnaire and in depth interview to six selected cases. Adherence
was measured using self report; participants were questioned regarding taking the total number of
ARV pills prescribed by physician and the memory aids used to remind the prescribed regimens.
The finding revealed that among the respondents who already started ARV therapy 160 (39.5%) were
civil, 158 (37.6%) were private and non-commissioned officers, 96(22.4%) were officers. The median
age was 35 years (interquartile range 29-40) and 284(67.3%) were males. The average adherence
rate to ARV medication was 82.8% of all prescribed doses. Keeping clinical appointment, using
memory aids and educational levels were associated with increased adherence. The incidence of
opportunistic infections were higher in the study population before initiation of ART.
The most frequent opportunistic infections were oral candidasis and pulmonary tuberculosis, both
diseases decreased by three-fourth after the initiation of ART when comparing for the same patients.
The frequency of AIDS-related infections declined dramatically by 83.3% after the initiation of ARV
treatment and AIDS-related hospitalization is reduced by 44.7%. Of the total respondents 4(0.7%) of
the patients developed serious adverse drug reactions requiring a change in treatment.
It was concluded that most patients need aggressive modification to improve their adherence to ARV
treatment. The findings suggest that develop patient centered education approach that ensure a good
understanding of treatment by the patient on the help of memory aids and keeping clinical
appointment.
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Assessment Of Adherence To Antiretroviral Therapy Among Hiv-Infected Persons