Adherence to treatment in young people with perinatal HIV infection in the first years after transition from pediatric to the adult medical service

Abstract

Objective. To assess ART adherence and treatment continuity in young adults living with HIV since birth or childhood in the first years after transition from paediatric to adult service of the AIDS Center, as well as to analyse factors associated with treatment adherence interruption after transition to adult care.Materials and methods. In our study, 86 cases of young people living with HIV since birth or childhood were obtained by chart audit and analyzed, among whom 53.5% were girls and 64.0% lived at home at the time of their 18th birthday, who have been transferred from paediatric to adult care of the AIDS Center for more than one year.Results and discussion. The majority (92%) of young adults living with HIV since birth or childhood retained in the health care system in the first year after the transition, but only 53–62% were highly adherent to treatment and monitoring for HIV infection in the first years after the transition. Episodes of non-adherence to treatment during childhood and adolescence, «more complex» ART scheme and the lack of adult’s social support at the time of 18th birthday increase the likelihood of interruption in treatment adherence in the first year after transition to adult care, while the combination of these factors has negative consequences for adherence and continuity of treatment for a longer period of time.Conclusion. Successful transition from paediatric to adult care for patients living with HIV since birth or childhood requires special additional attention of the health care system, contributes to the health protection of each patient, aims to stop HIV in the second generation.