What influences adherence among HIV patients presenting with first-line antiretroviral therapy failure (ART failure)? A retrospective, cross-sectional study from a private clinic in Nagpur, India

Background: Multiple reports show increasing occurrences of ART failure in India. Despite the fact that a significant volume of outpatient and on-going healthcare occurs in private clinics, there are very few studies on adherence from private clinics in India.

Objective: To evaluate the factors influencing adherence to ART in patients with first-line ART failure.

Materials and methods: Data were collected from a convenience sample of 139 individuals diagnosed with clinical, immunological or virologic failure from a private HIV clinic in Nagpur, India. A retrospective cross-sectional study was undertaken and data were statistically analysed.

Results: Of the 139 patients, 118 (84.9%) were male and 21 (15.1%) were female. 64 (46%) had received pre-treatment and adherence counselling. 81 (58.3%) were not told about the side effects of ART medications and 65 (46.8%) avoided friends and family. Most common reasons for suboptimal adherence by stopping treatment were high cost, alcoholism, choosing non-allopathic medications and depression. Reasons cited for suboptimal adherence due to missed doses included feeling healthy, depression, forgetfulness and busy schedule. A significant association was found between pre-treatment counselling, adherence counselling and being told the importance of lifelong treatment and decreased occurrence of complete stoppage of treatment.

Conclusion: This study brings to light some of the predictors of ART failure. Counselling, having a strong support system as well as early identification and tackling of reasons for suboptimal adherence plays an important role in preventing ART failure.