Predictive factors of antiretroviral (ARV) drug adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS attending at Taksin hospital, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Objective: Cross-sectional survey research aimed at studying predictive factors of antiretroviral (ARV) drug adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS (PWHA) who attended Tawan Mai, an outpatient clinic, Taksin Hospital, Bangkok. Material and Method: The sample group was 230 PWHA. A random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Data were collected by interview questionnaire between July 1, and September 30, 2009. The data was analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson's Product Moment Correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: The results showed that 61.8% of the PWHA had a good level of ARV drug adherence. Factors significantly predicting ARV drug adherence (p < 0.05) were family support, perception on severity of HIV/AIDS, adverse effects of the ARV drug, and knowledge on HIV/AIDS and ARV therapy. These factors were able to predict ARV drug adherence correctly at 26.8%. Conclusion: From these findings, the authors recommend health providers to encourage family members to give family support to PWHA and to provide PWHA with more knowledge on HIV/AIDS and ARV therapy to enhance more self awareness for treatment adherence as well as to raise the perception on HIV/AIDS severity and adverse effects of ARV drug.