Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among pregnant women infected with HIV-1 in early childhood

Abstract

Objectives. To assess the level of adherence to combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) among pregnant women infected with HIV-1 in early childhood, registered in Craiova Regional Center for Monitoring and Evaluation of HIV / AIDS within „Victor Babes” Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumoftiziology of Craiova (CRC) and to identify the main factors associated with non-adherence. Material and method. Retrospective study, during January 1st 2014 and December 31st 2019, with the analysis of the data mentioned in the medical records for the HIV-positive pregnant women registered within CRC. The level of adherence was assessed after applying an adherence questionnaire: 18-22 points (adherence ≥ 80%) and under 18 points (non-adherence < 80%). Results. The studied group included 71 patients and it was divided into two batches, depending on the route of HIV transmission: group A which included 48 pregnant women parenterally infected with HIV in early childhood and 23 pregnant women sexually infected with HIV. We found that the proportion of non-adherent patients was higher in sexually infected mothers (77.7%) compared to those parenterally infected, in early childhood (14.8%), with statistically significant differences (p = 0.001). The HIV viral load level was correlated with the level of adherence to cART (p = 0.005). Conclusions. Pregnant women infected with HIV-1 in early childhood had a higher level of adherence to cART compared to those sexually infected, directly correlated with HIV viremia.

Keywords

• hiv
• adherence
• parenteral
• early childhood