Compreensão da terapia antirretroviral entre indivíduos iniciando o tratamento em Belo Horizonte/MG.

Abstract

Understanding the prescription of antiretroviral drugs is an important pillar to achieve adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Adherence to ART is a decisive factor for improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV). The objectives of carrying out the study were to evaluate the understanding of individuals starting ART in three reference public services in Belo Horizonte/MG and their associated factors. A cross-sectional analysis was carried out through interviews with individuals after the first dispensation of antiretrovirals. The guidance received from health professionals and the individual's understanding were investigated. Comprehension was considered when the individual simultaneously understood the name, dose and frequency of administration of all prescribed antiretroviral drugs. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the independent variables, namely: sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical and related to the health service. A multivariate analysis of the association between the independent variables and the global understanding of the medical prescription was also performed. This study included 265 individuals, with an average age of 33 years, an average of 12 years of schooling and two months of ART, mostly male (83.4%), without a common-law marriage (80.7%), belonging to economic classes A, B or C (82.6%). The most used antiretroviral regimen in the period was the combined fixed dose (DFC) containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/lamivudine/efavirenz (54.7%). The overall understanding of the ART prescription and the understanding of the name of the drugs showed the same result (35.5%). Understanding the dose was 97.7% and the frequency of administration of antiretroviral drugs was 98.9%. Factors associated with global understanding of ART prescription were education ≥ 9 years (OR=8.90, p=0), type of antiretroviral regimen in use, individuals using CFD (OR=3.61, value of p=0) and signs and symptoms of anxiety (OR=2.6, p-value=0.0022). These results indicate that individuals with a higher level of education, using less complex schemes and with signs and symptoms of anxiety can better understand their medical prescription of antiretroviral drugs.