Vol. 10, Issue 5, Part D (2024)

Background: The introduction of antiretroviral therapy has caused a remarkable decrease in the occurrence of diseases and mortality among HIV positive patients, while this success has not been achieved among patients due to a low adherence to antiretroviral medicine.

Objectives: To assess antiretroviral medication adherence.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted to assess antiretroviral medication adherence among 35 HIV infected patients at the ART centre, Guwahati Medical College and Hospital, selected by convenient sampling technique. A standardized tool (Multi-Method Tool to Measure ART Adherence) was used to assess ART adherence. Data were analysed by using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The study revealed that, 51.43% patients had high adherence, 28.57% had low adherence and remaining 20% were moderately adherent to ART. Patients ARV adherence was significantly associated with marital status, numbers of children and CD4 count (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The study concluded that, majority of the patients had high adherence to ART and patient’s adherence level was found significantly associated with socio demographic variables like marital status & numbers of children and clinical variable like CD4 count. Although there are awareness programmes initiated by the government on benefits of ART adherence, efforts must be made to tackle the barriers to ART adherence among patients.