INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE ADHERENCE TO ANTIRETROVIRAL MEDICATIONS

Background Antiretroviral therapy has led to a substantial reduction in HIV associated morbidity and mortality. Efficacy of antiretroviral treatment in HIV/AIDS is showing inhibition of viral replication and reduction of viral load to a point where viral particles are undetectable in the blood of infected individuals. Increasing recognition of medication adherence is a crucial factor in treatment outcomes. This has led to the realization that HIV/AIDS is a chronic illness and hence the quality of  life of PLWHA needs to be enhanced. The maintenance of viral suppression requires maximum adherence (at least 95%) to ART. Objective The objective of this review was to assess the recent literatures regarding interventions to improve antiretroviral medication adherence; to know factors affecting adherence, strategies to measure adherence to ART by reviewing research works done recently (2008-2013) on intervention to improve ARV adherence (adherence improving tools and strategies). Method This literature review was obtained from electronic search on pubmed, AIDS LINES, MEDILINE, PyschInfo and also search was conducted on individual journals and manuals. Conclusion Adherence to ART is closely tied to virologic, immunologic, and clinical outcomes. Improving adherence requires collaborating with the patient in an effort to understand and ameliorate individual impediments to adherence, generally by establishing dedicated time with every patient to educate, plan for adherence, and maintain support and collaboration throughout the course of treatment