1. What is ART Adherence?

ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) adherence measures how consistently a patient takes their prescribed HIV medication. For children, maintaining high adherence is crucial for treatment success and preventing drug resistance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the adherence formula:

Where:

• Doses Taken — Actual number of doses the child took
• Doses Prescribed — Number of doses that should have been taken

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of prescribed doses that were actually taken by the child during a specific period.

3. Importance of Adherence Calculation

Details: Monitoring adherence helps healthcare providers assess treatment effectiveness, identify potential issues early, and provide additional support when needed.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the actual number of doses taken and the number of doses that were prescribed during the same time period. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is considered good adherence for ART?
A: Generally, ≥95% adherence is recommended for optimal viral suppression and to prevent drug resistance.

Q2: How should doses be counted for children?
A: Use pill counts, pharmacy refill records, or caregiver reports. Electronic monitoring devices provide the most accurate data.

Q3: What time period should be used for calculation?
A: Typically calculated over 1-4 weeks, depending on the monitoring system used.

Q4: What factors affect adherence in children?
A: Taste of medication, dosing frequency, caregiver support, side effects, and disclosure status can all impact adherence.

Q5: How can adherence be improved?
A: Strategies include simplified regimens, palatable formulations, reminder tools, and caregiver education/support.