A society based research to assess adherence of antiretroviral therapy

Access Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy. A community-based antiretroviral (ART) drugs adherence study was conducted in Kolkata, India beginning in January and concluding in March 2011. This study was designed to explore the level of adherence as well as factors influencing adherence to ART by those who are receiving treatment through a public health care delivery system. This health care system is implemented through the National AIDS Control Program in the state of West Bengal, India. The research findings showed a high degree of non-adherence, between 48-52%, among the ART recipients. The analysis highlights a number of key factors negatively influencing adherence including long waiting time at the ART center, distance from residence to ART Centre, travel related expenditure, and fear of being identified as HIV + to family members and neighbors. Some positive influences were identified in the data as well. If a person is a member of a positive people network there is a greater chance for adherence as well as if an individual self-identifies as positive to others. However, no single factor, rather a combination of several factors, proved to be responsible for influencing ART adherence among recipients. &nbsp