Title:Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Iranian HIV/AIDS Patients
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
Author(s): Hossein Khalili, Roxane Rohani, Seyedahmad Seyedalinaghi, Mahboobeh Hajiabdolbaghi, Simin Dashti-Khavidaki and Azita Hajhosssein Talasaz
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Adherence, antiretroviral, HIV
Abstract: Purpose: Treatment adherence of 95% or higher is recommended for appropriate therapeutic response and
improving the function of immune system in HIV positive patients. To the best of our knowledge, there was report of
adherence to HAART regimen from Iran. In the present study, we have reported the HAART adherence rate of Iranian
HIV positive patients.
Method: In a twelve-month period, all patients older than 18 years old who referred to HIV clinic were on HAART regimen
enrolled in the study. Beside demographic and clinical characteristics of Iranian HIV positive patients, Adherence to HAART
was assessed by self-report and pill count methods at during the three consecutive months of the patients’ visits.
Results: The mean of patients’ adherence to HAART regimen based on the self-report method was 69.4%, 64.6% and
62.8% in the first, second and third month of follow up, respectively. The mean of adherence rates in three months followup
assessed by self-report (65.5%) and pill count (60.4%) methods were correlated significantly (r=0.93 and p<0.001).
Living with family members, changing the HAART regimen and stage of disease had a significant relationship with
adherence rates.
Conclusion: Although the adherence level of Iranian HIV infected patients is acceptable compared to other countries, the
available antiretroviral medications are limited in our country, therefore, encouraging patients to have higher levels of
adherence is more important.