Assessment of adherence to anti-retroviral therapy in HIV infected children - A preliminary indian study

Aim: To assess adherence to anti retroviral therapy (ART) in HIV infected children Non-adherence to anti-retroviral therapy may be one of the greatest public health challenges associated with the management of HIV/AIDS. At a referral Pediatric HIV/AIDS clinic in Mumbai, India, an observational, cross-sectional study of adherence was performed. Using in-depth interviews of HIV-infected children taking ART and their primary caregivers. After verbal informed consent, 30 HIV infected children over a 30 day period between May 2006 to June 2006 were included in this study. All received a 3 drug ART regime either as a simple or fixed drug formulation. Adherence was determined by a 1-month recall by child and/or caregiver, with full adherence signifying no interruptions in the prior month and dividing the rest into those who missed more than 4 doses in a month and those who missed less than 4 doses in a month. Conclusion: Adherence to ART is good in HIV infected children in India and there is no difference in patients on separate formulation or fixed drug combination or those on tablets or syrups. Patients on combination of AZT + 3TC + NVP are most compliant.