ASSESSMENT OF ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH HIV
Geysa Aguiar Romeu, Mariana Macêdo Tavares, Cristiane Policarpo Carmo, Karla do Nascimento Magalhães, Arlândia Cristina Lima Nobre, Vania Cordeiro de Matos

The success of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome treatment depends on adherence to drug therapy. The aim was to assess adherence to HAART in patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) from July 2009 to June 2010. Developed study was quantitative, field, sectional and descriptive, at Reference Center in Fortaleza, Ceara. Data were collected through interviews and the pharmacy dispensing records. Were considered adherent those patients who responded with positive and optimistic expectations regarding the treatment and who attended the pharmacy to receive ARVs every month during the surveyed. In this study 59 patients participated among whom 74.5% were male, mean age was of 37.8 years and 94.9% had been diagnosed of HIV infection between, 1 to 5 years. It was observed that 45.7% patients adhered to treatment, principally males (38.9%). Associated factors to adherence included: to have a routine that favored drug administration, minimal side effects, few drug use, family support and good relationship with the prescriber. Problems will always occur, with moments of greater or lesser adherence to all patients. The health team has an important role in adherence, because it provides assistance to patients, advising about the disease and on the correct use of medicines.

Descriptors: Medication Adherence, Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV Infections