Socio-Demographic Profile and Adherence to Anti-Retroviral Treatment among HIV/AIDS Patients Attending the ART Centre in Tamil Nadu

Background: Epidemiology of HIV infection in India is varied and depends on multitude of factors such as socio-demographic profile, geographic location and behavioural pattern. HIV/AIDS is not only a public health issue in India but also one of the most serious socioeconomic and developmental concerns as nearly 86% of reported cases occur in sexually active and economically productive age group (15-49yrs). Thus, for planning targeted interventions, it is essential to know the socio-demographic and clinical profile of the HIV/AIDS patients in a particular area as important for control of HIV replication, disease progression and ultimately containment of the disease. Hence this study was planned to describe the Socio-demographic profile and ART treatment adherence of People Living with HIV/AIDS attending The ART Centre, KKGMCH, Asaripallam, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. Objectives: To describe the Socio-demographic profile and ART treatment adherence of People Living with HIV/AIDS attending The ART Centre, KKGMCH, Asaripallam, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu. Materials & Methods: This was a Cross- sectional study conducted among adult people living with HIV/AIDS who were on treatment at ART centre. The study was done during January 2014 to July 2014. The data was collected by using a semi structured questionnaire derived from WHO-BREFQOL. Result: The age of the study population varies from minimum 18 to maximum 59 years with the mean ± SD age of 39.5 ± 8.3 years. Around 69 (46.0%) participants are in the 31 – 40 years age group followed by 51 (39.0%) are in the 41 – 50 years age group. Regarding the Family type, 127 (84.7%) are from nuclear family; 19 (12.7%) are from extended family and another 4 (2.7%) are from the Joint family. The prevalence of opportunistic symptoms among the study participants, around 44% of the study participants developed respiratory related symptoms followed by Skin (24%). Among 150 subjects taking ART, 120 (80.0%) are receiving Regimen 1 and 30 others (20%) are receiving Regimen 2. Around 92 (61.3%) have good adherence to ART. 53 (35.3%) have fair and 5 (3.3%) have poor adherence. Conclusion: Non-adherence as a hindering factor for the success of therapy is well-established. Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Socio-demographic profile, Drug Adherence, Targeted intervention