Antiretroviral therapy: the association between knowledge and the compliance

Abstract

Objective: identifying the association between knowledge about antiretroviral therapy and the level of compliance to adults’ treatment in outpatient clinics. Method: a cross-sectional study carried out in the Countryside of Pernambuco in 2013. Study participants were 256 adults under antiretroviral therapy. There were used three data collection instruments. For comparison analysis of qualitative variables the Pearson’s chi-squared test was used. It was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital under number 205.799. Results: 70,3% of people with regular and low level of compliance to the antiretroviral were detected and 84,8% with a regular level of knowledge. A significant association between the level of knowledge and the level of compliance with the treatment was identified (p<0,001). Conclusion: the knowledge level about antiretroviral therapy seems to influence the compliance with treatment, suggesting that the health professionals intensify their educational actions in health by involving the theme. It is recommended further studies in this field of research.