EVALUATION OF ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL TREATMENT. ANALYSIS OF RELATED FACTORS

Objectives: To learn about HIV patients' adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART), its relation to treatment effectiveness and the influence of different factors on it. Method: Cross-sectional study on adherence analysis by using two indirect methods: SMAQ (Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire) questionnaire and the Pharmacy Department's medical dispensation record (MDR). We conducted a retrospective analytical study for determining the influence of various factors on adherence. Results: 252 patients were included in the study Adherence according to the MDR was 77.6% and according to SMAQ of 56%. We found a relation between adherence and viral load based on the MDR (p < 0.05). In the logistic regression according to the MDR, the following factors were able to explain adherence: age, immunological status, being polymedicated with more than 3 drugs, and tobacco and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: We observe a direct relation between adherence and therapeutic success. There is evidence of a relation between low adherence and being polymedicated with more than 3 drugs (p < 0.05).