A study on drug adherence among HIV infected patients residing in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh State

Abstract

Introduction:Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects 40.3 million people worldwide. To make sure that HIV treatment works effectively, it is important that the drugs are taken on time i.e 100% medication adherence. If 95% medication adherence is not achieved then treatment success becomes precarious.Objective:To estimate the adherence levels to ART among HIV infected patients in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.Material and Methods:Acommunity based Analytical - Cross sectional study was conducted among the people living with HIV in West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh.As there are four revenue divisions in West Godavari district,from each division, the list of villages/towns were taken and the villages were selected by simple random method. The HIV positive people residing in those villages/towns were identified from PHC and UHC (Health and Wellness Centers) data.The study subjects were approached.A predesigned, semi structured questionnaire was used for collecting data after pilot study. Results:Out of 240 study subjects, majority of them were under the age group of 39 - 48 years i.e., 35 p.c followed by 29 – 38 years i.e., 22.5 p.c. Most of them were residing in urban areas i.e., 59.2 p.c. Among the study subjects majority were males i.e., 64.2 p.c.Socio economic status, education, therapy type, regular follow-up, alcohol consumption, opportunistic Infections had statistically significant association with drug adherence. Conclusion: Health education and proper counseling regarding benefits and importance of adherence to antiretroviral therapy is important in improving the adherence to ART among PLHIV.