HAART Adherence Among HIV-infected Persons and the Factors Affecting Treatment Adherence
HAART Adherence Among HIV-infected Persons and the Factors Affecting Treatment Adherence
The general objective of this study is to evaluate HAART adherence in Estonia and the factors affecting adherence; and the impact of an individual adherence enhancement counselling and treatment monitoring model (Advanced Adherence, AdvAdh), compared to the regular counselling received by HAART patients.
Specific HIV treatment - HAART (Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy) can suppress HIV replication and consequently preserve the functioning of immune system. HAART therapy is a lifelong treatment with several different concomitantly administered oral medications. According to studies, low adherence to treatment is directly related to patient's knowledge and beliefs about HAART.
Studies have shown the success of different interventions increasing adherence to HAART, but additional studies need to be carried out in order to determine the most effective components of the interventions and the methods most suitable considering the local context, that could be used in everyday work and with limited resources.
The first places to implement the activities directed at improving treatment adherence are medical institutions, i.e. the departments of infectious diseases where HIV-positive individuals receive HAART treatment.
The aims of the study are:
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
- triple class antiretroviral drug resistance, as determined from a prior resistance test performed in clinical practice, defined according to International Antiviral Society - USA (IAS-USA) interpretive guidelines for genotypic resistance mutations