1. What is ART Adherence?

ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) adherence measures how consistently a patient takes their HIV medication as prescribed. In California, monitoring adherence is crucial for treatment success and preventing drug resistance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard adherence formula:

Where:

• Pills Taken — Total number of pills consumed
• Days Elapsed — Number of days in the treatment period
• Daily Dose — Prescribed number of pills per day

Explanation: The formula calculates what percentage of prescribed doses were actually taken during the treatment period.

3. Importance of ART Adherence

Details: In California's HIV treatment programs, maintaining ≥95% adherence is critical for viral suppression, preventing resistance, and ensuring treatment effectiveness.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total pills taken, days since treatment started, and daily prescribed dose. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Q2: How is adherence measured in California clinics?
A: California providers use pill counts, pharmacy refills, self-reports, and sometimes electronic monitoring.

Q3: Why is adherence harder for some Californians?
A: Challenges include housing instability, mental health issues, substance use, and medication side effects.

Q4: What resources improve adherence in California?
A: CA offers medication reminders, adherence counseling, pill organizers, and mobile health tools.

Q5: Does insurance affect adherence in California?
A: Yes, California's Medicaid (Medi-Cal) and ADAP programs help ensure medication access for PLWH.