Factors associated with adherence to haart in patients with HIV/aids

Abstract

Introduction: the need for optimal adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is essential for successful treatment in Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (aids). Objective: assess HAART’s adherence and related socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory variables. Methods: cross-sectional study. Sample calculation: 81 among 870 patients using HAART. Data collected between 14/09/2009 and 20/10/2009 at HIV/aids Outpatient Clinic of Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória – ES. Standardized forms and CEAT-VIH questionnaire translated and adapted to Brazilian language were used to access data and adherence, respectively. Considering the strict adherence outcomes (≥ 85% in the CEAT-VIH) and the presence or absence of possibly associated factor, univariate and multivariate analysis (binary logistic regression) were used and odds ratio (OR) was the association measure assessed. Results: strict adhesion was found in 42% of patients and mean adhesion was 81.1%. Medication use failure was reported by 76.5% of interviewed and main reasons were: forgetfulness (37%) and being away from home (30.9%). Strict adhesion was significantly associated with a higher number of completed years of study and a longer duration of undetectable viral load. Conclusion: despite an acceptable mean adhesion, strict adherence was poor. Better adherence was associated with a higher educational level and longer virological suppression.