1. What is ART Adherence?

ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) adherence in Australia measures how consistently patients take their prescribed HIV medication. It's calculated as the percentage of days medication was taken during a specific period.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the adherence formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Days Supply} \) — Number of days medication was supplied
• \( \text{Days in Period} \) — Total days in the measurement period

Explanation: The equation calculates the percentage of days in the period that medication was available.

3. Importance of Adherence Calculation

Details: High adherence (>95%) is critical for HIV viral suppression, preventing drug resistance, and maintaining health outcomes for people living with HIV.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of days medication was supplied and the total days in the period. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered good adherence for ART?
A: Optimal adherence is generally ≥95%. Below 90% adherence increases risk of treatment failure.

Q2: How is days supply determined?
A: Days supply is typically calculated from pharmacy dispensing records or medication event monitoring systems.

Q3: What's the recommended period for measurement?
A: Common periods are 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on clinical context and prescription refill patterns.

Q4: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: This method doesn't account for timing of doses or actual ingestion, only medication availability.

Q5: How is this used in Australian HIV care?
A: Australian HIV guidelines recommend regular adherence monitoring as part of comprehensive HIV management.