Difficulties Reported by Hiv-Infected Patients Using Antiretroviral Therapy in Brazil

To describe the degree of difficulty that HIV-infected patients have with therapy treatment. Patients’ perceptions about their treatment are a determinant factor for improved adherence and a better quality of life. Two cross-sectional analyses were conducted in public AIDS referral centers in Brazil...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Clinics (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 63; no. 2; pp. 165 - 172
Main Authors:	Guimarães, Mark Drew Crosland, Rocha, Gustavo Machado, Campos, Lorenza Nogueira, de Freitas, Felipe Melo Teixeira, Gualberto, Felipe Augusto Souza, Teixeira, Ramiro d’Ávila Rivelli, de Castilho, Fábio Morato
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Brazil Elsevier España, S.L.U 01-04-2008 Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina / USP Elsevier España
Subjects:	Adherence Adolescent Adult AIDS Anti-HIV Agents - adverse effects Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active Brazil Clinical Sciences Cross-Sectional Studies Female Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data HIV Infections - drug therapy HIV Infections - immunology HIV Infections - psychology Humans Logistic Models Male MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL Modifiable Factors Patient Compliance - statistics & numerical data Patient Perception Prospective Studies Quality of Life Risk Factors Socioeconomic Factors Treatment Treatment Outcome Young Adult Brazil Adherence AIDS Patient Perception Treatment Modifiable Factors
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	To describe the degree of difficulty that HIV-infected patients have with therapy treatment. Patients’ perceptions about their treatment are a determinant factor for improved adherence and a better quality of life. Two cross-sectional analyses were conducted in public AIDS referral centers in Brazil among patients initiating treatment. Patients interviewed at baseline, after one month, and after seven months following the beginning of treatment were asked to classify and justify the degree of difficulty with treatment. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Among 406 patients initiating treatment, 350 (86.2%) and 209 (51.5%) returned for their first and third visits, respectively. Treatment perceptions ranged from medium to very difficult for 51.4% and 37.3% on the first and third visits, respectively. The main difficulties reported were adverse reactions to the medication and scheduling. A separate logistic regression indicated that the HIV-seropositive status disclosure, symptoms of anxiety, absence of psychotherapy, higher CD4+ cell count (> 200/mm3) and high (> 4) adverse reaction count reported were independently associated with the degree of difficulty in the first visit, while CDC clinical category A, pill burden (> 7 pills), use of other medications, high (> 4) adverse reaction count reported and low understanding of medical orientation showed independent association for the third visit. A significant level of difficulty was observed with treatment. Our analyses suggest the need for early assessment of difficulties with treatment, highlighting the importance of modifiable factors that may contribute to better adherence to the treatment protocol.
ISSN:	1807-5932 1980-5322 1980-5322
DOI:	10.1590/S1807-59322008000200003