Risk factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV patients in Manila, Philippines: a baseline cross-sectional analysis of the Philippines Connect for Life Study

O’Connor, Cara, Leyritana, Katerina, Calica, Kris, Gill, Randeep, Doyle, Aoife M., Lewis, James J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8603-2761 and Salvaña, Edsel Maurice 2021. Risk factors affecting adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV patients in Manila, Philippines: a baseline cross-sectional analysis of the Philippines Connect for Life Study. Sexual Health 18 (1) , pp. 95-103. 10.1071/SH20028

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (195kB)

Abstract

Background: The Philippines HIV epidemic is one of the fastest growing, globally. Infections among men who have sex with men (MSM) are rising at an alarming rate, necessitating targeted evidence-based interventions to reach epidemic control. Treatment as prevention is a key strategy to end AIDS, making it a priority to explore novel approaches to retain people living with HIV (PLHIV) in care, support adherence, and reach viral suppression. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis describes HIV-related risk behaviours and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in a population of HIV-positive patients at a clinic in Metro Manila, Philippines participating in the Philippines Connect for LifeTM cohort study. Results: Among 426 HIV-positive adults taking ART, 79% reported ≥95% adherence over the prior 30 days. Longer time on treatment was associated with reduced adherence to ART (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.87 per year, P = 0.027). Being in a serodiscordant relationship, in which the subject’s primary partner was HIV negative, increased adherence (AOR = 3.19, P = 0.006). Inconsistent condom use (AOR = 0.50, P = 0.103) and injection drug use (AOR = 0.54, P = 0.090) are potentially associated with reduced adherence to ART. Patients used drugs and alcohol at significantly higher rates than the general population.? Conclusions: The study found that patients in this setting require intervention to address treatment fatigue. Interventions to improve social support of PLHIV, as well as harm-reduction approaches for drug and alcohol use, could improve adherence in this population, strengthening the test-and-treat strategy to control the epidemic.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Additional Information:	Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2021 Open Access CC BY
Publisher:	CSIRO Publishing
ISSN:	1448-5028
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	23 August 2021
Date of Acceptance:	26 October 2020
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 18:40
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/143605

Citation Data

Cited 7 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item