OBJECTIVES: To assess the compliance to antiretroviral drugs, and identify the main predictive factors and causes for treatment failure and poor compliance. METHODS: Twenty HIV/AIDS were randomly selected for the study. The assessment was carried out using self-reporting and complemented with diary and pharmacy checks. Univariate analysis was performed using Student test and Qui-square. Odds ratio was calculated as an inclusion measure. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were assessed, of which 87 (72.5%) were males and 33 (27.5%) were females, with a mean age of 35.5 years old. . Most of them were light dark skin, had completed only elementary school, and were employed, with an income of up to two minimum wages. The mean time of the antiretroviral use was 12 months. The main reason to initiate treatment was a decrease in CD4 lymphocyte counts to less than 350 cells/mm³. Most were taking three or more antiretrovirals. Eighty-nine patients (74%) were considered compliant. The main cause of treatment failure was the medication side effects. The educational level, age and time of antiretroviral use were the most important predictors of compliance to antiretrovirals. CONCLUSIONS: To improve treatment compliance there is a need to have treatment regimens with less side effects and treatment all the aspects should be constantly reviewed.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; HIV infections; Anti-HIV agents; Patient compliance; Antiretroviral therapy, highly active; CD4 lymphocyte count; Adherence; Antiretrovirals
