1. What is ART Adherence Calculation?

The ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) Adherence Calculation measures the percentage of prescribed medication doses that were actually taken by a patient. It's a crucial metric in HIV treatment to assess treatment compliance and effectiveness.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the National ART Adherence formula:

Where:

• \( Pills\ Taken \) — Number of medication doses actually taken
• \( Pills\ Prescribed \) — Number of medication doses prescribed

Explanation: The equation calculates the percentage of prescribed doses that were actually taken by the patient during a specific time period.

3. Importance of Adherence Calculation

Details: High adherence (>95%) is critical for HIV treatment success, preventing drug resistance, and maintaining viral suppression. Regular monitoring helps identify patients needing additional support.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the exact number of pills taken and prescribed during the monitoring period. Both values must be positive numbers, with pills taken not exceeding pills prescribed.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered good adherence in ART?
A: ≥95% adherence is recommended for optimal viral suppression and prevention of drug resistance.

Q2: How often should adherence be calculated?
A: Typically calculated monthly during routine clinic visits or medication refills.

Q3: What methods are used to count pills taken?
A: Methods include pill counts, self-reports, pharmacy refill records, and electronic medication monitors.

Q4: What if adherence is below 95%?
A: Patients with adherence <95% may need counseling, simplified regimens, or additional support services.

Q5: Are there limitations to this calculation?
A: Pill counts may overestimate adherence if patients discard pills. Combined with other methods provides better accuracy.