Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV/AIDS patients in the context of early treatment initiation in Vietnam

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to assess the antiretroviral therapy (ART) compliance among patients with HIV/AIDS and its associated factors in the context of universal ART initiation in Vietnam.Patients and methodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in five ART clinics located in three provinces, such as Hanoi, Thanh Hoa, and Lao Cai, from July to September 2017. Overall, adherence to ART in the last month was measured using a 100-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Besides, information about forgetting doses in the last 4 days and delaying taking pills in the last 7 days was also reported.ResultsAmong 482 patients, the suboptimal adherence rate was 54.5%. Noncurrent smoking (coefficient =4.19, 95% CI 0.42–7.97), higher baseline CD4 count (coefficient =4.35, 95% CI 0.58–8.13), and no traveling difficulties (coefficient =6.17, 95% CI 2.27–10.06) were predictors of higher VAS adherence score. Suboptimal adherence was associated with mountainous residence (OR =5.34, 95% CI 2.81–10.16). Female respondents were less likely to delay taking pills in the last 7 days (OR =0.19, 95% CI 0.07–0.52).ConclusionOur study embraced early ART initiation in Vietnam; however, this approach should be parallel with appropriate resource allocation and service delivery.

Barriers and facilitators of adherence to antiretroviral treatment at a public health facility in Ghana: a mixed method study

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“…However, barriers to ART still remain among developing countries. Barriers include the socio-economic status of patients including unemployment, poverty, food insecurity, distance to clinics and transportation costs, human resource constraints, healthcare provider practices such as inadequate counselling sessions, abuse of patient confidentiality, stigma, depression and medicine stock-outs (7)(8)(9)(10)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”

Antiretroviral therapy non-adherence and its relationship with cognitive impairment, alcohol use disorder, and depression in adolescents living with HIV

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A model for explaining adherence to antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV / AIDS : A grounded theory study

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