Factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV + Patients in Guangxi, China

Abstract This study employed logistic regression to examine the factors that predict medication adherence among a total of 2,146 HIV-infected individuals who were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Guangxi, China. Of these participants, 1,388 patients (64.7%) did not miss any medication dose. Medication-specific social support (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 1.05–2.13), no/less experience of influential side effects (OR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.05–1.81), and direct coping (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.01–1.22) are significant predictors of never missing doses. However, longer duration of receiving ART (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.00–2.57), ever use of synthetic drugs (OR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.58–4.61), and actively social support seeking (OR = .95, 95% CI: .90–.99) are significant predictors of ever missing adherence. HIV treatment and care in Guangxi should address potential treatment fatigue, offer medication-specific social support, and help patients to prevent, reduce, or manage side effects of treatment. Continuing research is greatly needed on the influence of coping strategies on medication adherence.