Aims: This study aimed to describe the adherence level to antiretroviral therapy and its associated factors among people living with HIV in Hunan province, China.
Methods: Across-sectional survey study was done at two major HIV treatment sites within Hunan province in China from July 2011 to Oct 2012 through face-to-face interviews. Adherence measures were captured using a 30-day visual analog scale (VAS).
Results: A total of 418 participants consented and completed the questionnaires with the mean age being 38 years old. Based on VAS, 28% of the participants had lower than 90% ART adherence level. The main reasons for missing drugs were; forgetting, being away from home, being busy and feeling worse after taking drugs. Logistic regression results showed that drug use (B = 0.68, OR = 2.11), time on ART (B = -0.31, OR = 0.72) and side effects (B = 0.64, OR = 1.82) were significantly associated with adherence to ART.
Conclusion: Patients on ARVs in Hunan province are faced with adherence challenges notably drug abuse, drug regime scheduling challenges at the initial stages of therapy and drug side effects. It is therefore necessary to institute specific adherence interventions that target those who abuse drugs, ART naïve patients, and those experiencing side effects in order to achieve optimal ART adherence.
Keywords: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Antiretroviral treatment; China; Medication adherence.