In Israel, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is available (at local pharmacies) without cost. Nevertheless, poor adherence, especially of immigrants from Africa, leads to a high rate of treatment failures. Our study looked whether direct monthly ART supply in our AIDS centre has an effect on adherence and outcome. A total of 385 HIV (clade C) immigrants from Africa that were treated with ART for >2 years prior to the initiation of the study were evaluated. During the first 2 years, ART medications were supplied by local pharmacies. Thereafter (next 2 years), all patients received medications, monthly at our centre. Adherence, immunological (CD4) and virological (VL) outcome at the end of the two study periods were determined. At baseline, only 75% of the patients attended more than 90% of scheduled visits with 57% treatment adherence. Virological failure (VL >40 copies/ml) was observed in 53% of the patients. As a result of our intervention (2 years of direct monthly ART supply), visits and treatment adherence significantly increased (90% and 84%, respectively;p < 0.001). Concomitantly, virological failure rate significantly dropped to 28% (p < 0.001). Direct monthly supply of ART is a relatively low-cost mode to improve patient's adherence and immunological/virological outcomes.
Keywords: Ethiopian; HIV/AIDS; adherence; clade C; direct observed therapy; highly active antiretroviral therapy.
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