From Access to Adherence The Challenges of Antiretroiral Treatment

As access to antrietroviral medicines (ARVs) becomes assured, the world needs to place equal effort in ensuring that every antiretroviral therapy (ART) patient receives adequate adherence support. Adherence, the extent to which patients follow the instructions they are given for prescribed treatments, is important, as only through uninterrupted treatment are patients likely to receive sufficient medicine and prevent the generation of drug-resistance. The authors of this book report on the experiences from successful treatment programmes in three countries in sub-Saharan Africa at the forefront of the roll-out of ARVs. The voices of the patients, their families, community members and the health workers who care for them have been reported faithfully. They speak of the impact of ART on their daily lives and of the key challenges involved in sustaining the necessary high level of adherence to treatment. Their real life experience is valid and needs to be considered by health programme managers who are planning the expansion of ARV treatment programmes.Hardon, Anita is the author of 'From Access to Adherence The Challenges of Antiretroiral Treatment', published 2006 under ISBN 9789241563284 and ISBN 9241563281.