1. What is ART Adherence?

ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) adherence refers to the extent to which patients take their medications as prescribed by their healthcare providers. For teachers using ART, 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:

• \( Doses\ Taken \) — Number of doses actually taken
• \( Doses\ Prescribed \) — Number of doses prescribed during the period

Explanation: The formula calculates the percentage of prescribed doses that were actually taken by the patient.

3. Importance of Adherence Calculation

Details: For ART to be effective, adherence of at least 95% is typically required. This calculator helps teachers monitor their adherence and identify when they may need additional support.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the number of doses you actually took and the number of doses you were prescribed during the same time period. Both values must be positive numbers, with doses prescribed greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is adherence important for teachers on ART?
A: High adherence ensures treatment effectiveness, reduces viral load, maintains health, and allows teachers to continue their important work without interruption.

Q2: What is considered good adherence?
A: For ART, adherence should be ≥95% to maintain viral suppression and prevent resistance.

Q3: How can teachers improve their adherence?
A: Using pill boxes, setting reminders, linking medication to daily routines, and seeking support from healthcare providers can all help improve adherence.

Q4: Should missed doses be recorded immediately?
A: Yes, recording missed doses as soon as they're noticed helps maintain accurate adherence records and identify patterns.

Q5: Are there tools to help track adherence between calculations?
A: Yes, medication reminder apps, pill diaries, and weekly pill organizers can help track adherence between formal calculations.