Factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients in Kathmandu District, Nepal.

Results: Male participants accounted for 64.6% (n=204). Overall ART adherence was 86.7%. ART adherence in men and women were 84.3% and 91.1%, respectively. Age (OR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00–1.09), travel time to ART centers (OR 1.38; 95% CI 1.12–1.71), history of illegal drug use (OR 3.98; 95% CI 1.71–9.24), and adverse effects (OR 4.88; 95% CI 1.09–21.8), were all independently and negatively associated with ART adherence. Use of reminder tools (OR 3.45; 95% CI 1.33–8.91) was independently and positively associated with ART adherence. Conclusion: The observed ART adherence in this study is encouraging. Travel time to ART centers, self-reported adverse effects, illegal drug use, and not using reminder tools were the major determinants of ART adherence. Interventions that take these factors into account could further improve ART adherence.