Effects of Education and Counseling on Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV Clinic at Mahasarakham Hospital

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study were to assess the effects of education and counseling on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and determine factors associated with adherence in the HIV clinic at Mahasarakham hospital. A quasi-experimental design, to compare knowledge and adherence to antiretroviral therapy between an experimental (received education and counseling) and control group (not received education and counseling), two times follow up every month. Fifty-six patients with HIV were recruited 28 patients were experimental group and 28 patients were control group. The patients’ knowledge in AIDS and antiretroviral drug were significantly increased (p \< 0.001) after education. The adherence evaluated by questionnaires showed that the adherence in the experimental group statistically significant increased (p=0.02 and 0.001, respectively) but the control group was not different. The adherence to antiretroviral therapy in the experimental group was more significantly increased than control group (p=0.004) after receiving counseling the second time. The adherence was measured by pill count method; neither experimental nor control group had significant effect before and after counseling, and they were not different at the second time of follow up. The self-record of taking medicines method, adherence was not different in both groups. The patients’ knowledge in AIDS and antiretroviral therapy were significantly associated with adherence both before and after educations (p=0.017 and 0.003, respectively). History of drug abuse, drug allergy and number of recalled memory method in taking antiretroviral drugs were significantly associated with adherence (p=0.038, 0.03 and 0.014, respectively). Patient education and counseling about disease and antiretroviral drugs by a pharmacist can improve antiretroviral adherence.