Abstract:
Adherence is one of the most crucial determinants of treatment response to
antiretroviral therapy (ART). An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in
24 Care and Treatment Centres (CTC) in Dar es Salaam and Iringa regions in
Tanzania. Data was collected using questionnaire and appointments records. A total
of 943 patients attending at the care and treatment sites in Dar es Salaam and Iringa
were recruited. Adherence based on keeping appointments and on four days recall
was 65% and 70%, respectively. Adherence based on taking ART more than 95% of
the time in one month was 83%. Satisfaction with health services, having treatment
support, having knowledge on the use of ART, early presentation to CTC, and being
on ART for more than one year, were associated with good adherence. Being in the
urban region, using traditional medicine, medicine side effects and alcohol
consumption problems negatively associated with adherence to ART.
