Adherence and Health Problems in Thai Travellers Living with HIV
Issued Date
2022-07-01
Resource Type
eISSN
24146366
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85135461653
Journal Title
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
Volume
7
Issue
7
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Vol.7 No.7 (2022)
Suggested Citation
Madsalae K., Ngamprasertchai T., Lawpoolsri S., Sirijatuphat R., Ratanasuwan W., Piyaphanee W., Pitisuttithum P. Adherence and Health Problems in Thai Travellers Living with HIV. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease Vol.7 No.7 (2022). doi:10.3390/tropicalmed7070128 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/85737
Title
Adherence and Health Problems in Thai Travellers Living with HIV
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
It is important to focus on adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and health problems of travellers living with HIV (TLWHIV) during travel. This study was conducted to investigate factors related to adherence and health problems among TLWHIV. This multicentre, cross-sectional observational study was conducted among TLWHIV in university hospitals from August 2019 to July 2020. Factors associated with adherence to ART were evaluated using a logistic regression model. Health problems and risk exposure were also examined among participants during travel. Of 321 TLWHIV, 20 (6.23%) showed moderate-to-poor adherence, among whom 3 (15%) had viral rebound after travelling. Travellers frequently missed ART during the first 3 days of their trip. International destination was associated with moderate-to-poor adherence. In total, 237 (73.8%) travellers reported health problems during travel, among whom 36 required medical attention. Sexual or sharp exposure was found in <5% of travellers during travel. Approximately 95% of Thai TLWHIV had good ART adherence. International destination was the major factor determining adherence. TLWHIV should be encouraged to seek pretravel consultation. Healthcare providers should discuss health risk prevention and teach about ART dosing during travel to enhance adherence and minimise toxicity.