In July 2011, The Malawi government started implementing an innovative PMTCT policy known as Option B+ strategy that provides universal lifelong ART for all HIV-infected pregnant and breastfeeding women regardless of clinical or immunological stage. Even though Option B+ strategy is a good choice for Malawi, there is fear that the programme may be affected by poor access, utilisation, adherence and retention. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of HIV-positive women on Option B+ strategy in a selected district hospital in Malawi. Methodology: A Hermeneutics phenomenological approach was used in this study to explore the lived experiences of HIV-positive women on Option B+ strategy through in-depth interviews of five purposely sampled information rich sources. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed, then manual data analysis using Giorgi’s approach was employed to identify meaningful segments and develop categories, themes and sub-themes. Results: The lifelong commitment was described as the most challenging aspect of Option B+ strategy. Participants demonstrated lack of knowledge and understanding of Option B+ strategy and its implications which rendered them poorly prepared and unready for the task. The un optional Opt-out HIV testing resulted in participants feeling left out in their own care, as health professionals dominated the care from HIV testing throughout the process. The importance of male involvement in PMTCT was revealed in promoting partner HIV testing, disclosure, support, and prevention of further HIV spread. Barriers to participation were described in terms of attitudes of health care workers, stigma and discrimination. Despite the overemphasised need for women to be supported on Option B+ strategy participants were not willing to seek available sources of formal support. / Thesis (M.N.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2013.

Health communication is a vital part of health care and treatment. For patients living with HIV, effective health communication is crucial. This study aimed at describing health communication from the perspective of HIV-positive patients by uncovering their experiences as they interacted with various medical staff members at Stanger Hospital. Guided by a review of various health communication models, data were collected via individual interviews and non-participant observation. The findings showed that interactive communication was favoured by all the respondents, especially communication that was patient-centred. Such communication encompassed education on how to live and cope with HIV. Obstacles to effective communication such as power differentials, lack of time and privacy at public health care clinics were identified. The study found that the different medical staff members at the clinic to various degrees addressed distinctive communication needs of HIV-positive patients. This study contributed to effectively understating the communication process as a whole. / Sociology / M.A. (Social Behaviour Studies in HIV/AIDS)

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a global problem. Introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) came as a relief to people living with HIV and AIDS as it improved their quality of life. However, maintaining high adherence levels to antiretroviral treatment is still a challenge in some settings yet strict adherence to treatment instructions is critical for successful suppression of HIV. A qualitative, descriptive phenomenological research was conducted to explore factors that influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy at Beatrice Road Infectious Disease Hospital (BRIDH). Purposive homogenous sampling was done. Data was collected from twenty patients through in-depth interviews. Study findings identified five main themes that facilitate adherence and these entail knowledge on HIV and AIDS and ART, motivation to live, adherence support networks, good service delivery and factors related to medication / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is crucial to ensure viral suppression. In the scientific community it is widely accepted that an adherence level of at least 90% is necessary to achieve viral suppression. This study uses pharmacy refill records to describe antiretroviral adherence in HIV-positive patients in Ugu District and to describe pharmacy refill records as reliable monitoring method of antiretroviral therapy. In total, 61 patients’ records were reviewed. Overall, 82% of participants (n=50) achieved an optimum adherence level of at least 90%. Although 38% (n=19) of these participants did not show any related viral suppression. A statistically significant relationship between adherence and viral suppression was not demonstrated. Therefore, pharmacy refill records cannot be recommended as an alternative method of monitoring response to antiretroviral therapy, but laboratory tests including CD4 cell count and or viral load must be combined to pharmacy refill method for monitoring of antiretroviral therapy in HIV-positive patients / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The objective was to analyze the factors related to the adherence to the antiretroviral treatment of adults with HIV/AIDS, who were treated at the University Hospital of Santa Maria. This is a cross-sectional study, with a quantitative approach, involving 179 adults subjected to antiretroviral treatment for the HIV/AIDS. The data collection was held from January to July 2012, after approval by the Research Ethics Committee from the Federal University of Santa Maria. We have used a research tool consisted of data about the economic, demographic, social and clinical profiles; the Brazilian version of the Cuestionário para la Evaluación de la Adhesión al Tratamiento Antiretroviral and the Scale of self-efficacy expectancy to the antiretroviral treatment. After checking for errors and inconsistencies, the statistical analysis was performed by using the program PASW ® Statistics (Predictive Analytics Software, from SPSS Inc., Chicago - USA), version 18.0 for Windows. Of the 179 adults undergoing antiretroviral treatment for the HIV/AIDS, 50,8% were male, 23,5% were aged from 45 to 49 years (average age 43,21, ± 10,48), 62,6% lived in the city of Santa Maria; in 68,6% the route of HIV transmission was the sexual one. The Cronbach s alpha indexes of the scale of adherence and of self-efficacy expectancy were, respectively, 0,78 and 0,93. Of the adults under antiretroviral treatment, 83,2% were defined as non-adherents (raw score ≥ 83; percentile ≥ 85). The self-efficacy expectancy for the adherence to the antiretroviral treatment showed an average of 95,04% (± 9,11). Through bivariate analysis, it was found a statistically significant relationship between adherence and breed, schooling, viral load, the act of keeping the follow-up of your health in the service, the propensity to alcoholism, change in the lifestyle and necessity to use psychiatric medications. We have found a high and positive correlation between self-efficacy expectancy to follow-up the treatment and the adherence to the antiretroviral treatment. It was also evidenced a significant relationship among adherence, schooling, the act of keeping the follow-up of your health in the service and change in the lifestyle. The adherence showed a significant and direct correlation with self-efficacy expectancy (r=0,637, p <0,01), time of diagnosis (r = - 0,175, p<0,05), low and reverse with the number of pills (r = - 0,301, p <0,01), very low between and treatment time (r = - 0,165, p <0,05), low and direct with the viral load (r = 0,344, p <0,01). We conclude that adherence to the antiretroviral therapy is related to numerous factors that might interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment. From the analysis of adherence and of factors that might influence in the antiretroviral treatment, one can establish strategies of individual and collective care towards this population. / O objetivo foi analisar os fatores relacionados à adesão ao tratamento antirretroviral de adultos com HIV/AIDS, atendidos no Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria. Estudo transversal, com abordagem quantitativa, envolvendo 179 adultos em tratamento antirretroviral para o HIV/AIDS. A coleta de dados foi realizada no período de janeiro a julho de 2012, após aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. Utilizou-se um instrumento de pesquisa, composto por dados sobre o perfil econômico, demográfico, social e perfil clínico; a versão brasileira do Cuestionário para la Evaluación de la Adhesión al Tratamiento Antiretroviral e a Escala de expectativa de autoeficácia ao tratamento antirretroviral. Após a verificação de erros e inconsistências, a análise estatística foi realizada no programa PASW Statistics® (Predictive Analytics Software, da SPSS Inc., Chicago - USA) versão 18.0 for Windows. Dos 179 adultos em tratamento antirretroviral para o HIV/AIDS, 50,8% eram do sexo masculino, 23,5% encontravam-se na faixa etária de 45 a 49 anos, idade média (43,21, ± 10.48), 62,6% residiam no município de Santa Maria, em 68,6% a via de transmissão do HIV foi a sexual. O alfa de Cronbach da escala de adesão e de expectativa de autoeficácia foi, respectivamente, 0,78 e 0,93. Dos adultos em tratamento antirretroviral, 83,2% foram definidos como não aderentes (escore bruto ≥ 83; percentil ≥ 85). A expectativa de autoeficácia para a adesão ao tratamento antirretroviral apresentou média de 95,04% (± 9,11). Por meio da análise bivariada foi encontrada relação estatística significativa entre adesão e a raça, escolaridade, carga viral, ao como é manter o acompanhamento de sua saúde no serviço, a propensão para alcoolismo, mudança no estilo de vida, necessidade de utilizar medicações psiquiátricas. Identificou-se correlação alta e positiva entre expectativa de autoeficácia para seguir o tratamento e adesão ao tratamento antirretroviral. Evidenciou-se também relação significativa entre adesão, escolaridade, manter o acompanhamento de saúde no serviço e mudança no estilo de vida. A adesão apresentou correlação significativa alta e direta com expectativa de autoeficácia (r= 0,637, p<0,01), tempo de diagnóstico (r= - 0,175, p<0,05), baixa e inversa com número de comprimidos (r= - 0,301, p< 0,01), muito baixa entre e tempo de tratamento (r= - 0,165, p< 0,05), baixa e direta com a carga viral (r= 0,344, p<0,01). Conclui-se que adesão ao tratamento antirretroviral esta relacionada a inúmeros fatores que podem interferir na eficácia do tratamento. A partir da análise da adesão e dos fatores que podem influenciar no tratamento antirretroviral será possível estabelecer estratégias de cuidado individual e coletivo a esta população.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:47:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2003558 bytes, checksum: b444f3214b726140549bb7c59a5a2268 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), transmitted by Human Immunodeficiency Vírus (HIV) it attacks the immune system, which may cause adverse effects on the general state of health, and in particular, the hearing health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hearing of children with HIV/AIDS and to assess the association of audiological findings in children with HIV/AIDS, relating them to the viral load, the opportunistic diseases and to antiretroviral treatment (TARV) instituted. We analyzed 23 children with HIV/AIDS that were followed at two specialized care services (SCS). Those responsible for the children responded to a questionnaire that included data on the clinical situation and the hearing health of children, which was subsequently complemented by information contained in medical records. Then, the external acoustic meatus was inspected and where necessary, the children were referred to the ent propitiate the realization of the audiological exams. The audiological evaluation was composed by examination of audiometry and immitanciometry (tympanometry and stapedial reflexes). For descriptive analysis of the data was used to the technique of inferential statistics, using Fisher's exact test, when the conditions for use of the test thur-square has not been verified. They were complied with the guidelines for research involving human beings contained in Resolution CNS N° 196/1996. There was an occurrence of hearing loss by ear in 84.8 % of the children analyzed, prevailing a percentage of 76.9 % of hearing loss discrete and 67.4 % for tympanometry curve type B. The otologic manifestations were observed in 65.2 % of the children, with the ear pain to the highest occurrence (66.7 %), there was no significant association with hearing loss (p=0.001). In relation to the association of hearing loss with the causal factor, there was no statistically significant association with the use of anti-retroviral therapy (p=0.031) and with the otitis (p=0.003), not showing for the variables viral load and the number of opportunistic diseases (p>0.05). The study showed the presence of hearing loss in children with HIV/AIDS, associated with the use of TARV and the otitis, but possibly not related solely to these, suggesting risks of damage to the linguistic development of children. The auditory follow in children with HIV/AIDS is important to diagnose and intervene as soon as possible on the possible causal factors of hearing loss, in order to preserve the hearing and to promote a development appropriate language, thus reducing the difficulties in the process of learning, education and social inclusion. / A Síndrome da Imunodeficiência Adquirida (AIDS) transmitida pelo Human Immunodeficiency Vírus (HIV) ataca o sistema imunológico, podendo causar repercussões sobre o estado geral de saúde e, de modo particular, à saúde auditiva. Objetivou-se avaliar a audição de crianças com HIV/AIDS e analisar a associação dos achados audiológicos em crianças com HIV/AIDS, relacionando-os à carga viral, às doenças oportunistas e ao tratamento antirretroviral (TARV) instituído. Foram analisadas 23 crianças com HIV/AIDS que estavam em acompanhamento em dois serviços de atendimento especializado (SAE). Os responsáveis pelas crianças responderam um questionário que continha dados sobre a situação clínica e a saúde auditiva das crianças, o qual foi posteriormente complementado por informações contidas em prontuário. Em seguida, foi realizada a inspeção do meato acústico externo e, quando necessário, as crianças foram encaminhadas ao otorrinolarigologista para propiciar a realização dos exames audiológicos. A avaliação audiológica foi composta pelo exame de audiometria tonal e imitanciometria (timpanometria e reflexos estapedianos). Para análise descritiva dos dados foi utilizada a técnica de estatística inferencial, através do teste Exato de Fisher, quando as condições para utilização do teste Qui-quadrado não foram verificadas. Foram respeitadas as orientações para pesquisa em seres humanos contidas na Resolução CNE N° 196/1996. Observou-se uma ocorrência de perdas auditivas por orelha em 84,8% das crianças analisadas, prevalecendo um percentual de 76,9% de perdas auditivas discretas e 67,4% para timpanometria de curva tipo B. As manifestações otológicas foram observadas em 65,2% das crianças, sendo a otalgia a de maior ocorrência (66,7%), havendo associação significativa desta com a perda auditiva (p=0,001). Em relação à correlação da perda auditiva ao fator causal, ocorreu associação estatisticamente significativa com o uso da terapia antirretroviral (p=0,031) e com a otite (p=0,003), não apresentando para as variáveis carga viral e o conjunto das doenças oportunistas (p>0,05). O estudo evidenciou a presença de perda auditiva nas crianças com HIV/AIDS, associada ao uso da TARV e da otite, mas possivelmente não relacionados exclusivamente a estes, sugerindo riscos de prejuízos para o desenvolvimento linguístico das crianças. O acompanhamento auditivo em crianças com HIV/AIDS é importante para diagnosticar e intervir o mais cedo possível sobre os possíveis fatores causais de perdas auditivas, a fim de preservar a audição e favorecer um desenvolvimento linguístico adequado, diminuindo as dificuldades no processo de aprendizagem, educação e inclusão social.

Thesis (DTech (Mechanical Engineering))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2012 / In this thesis, we investigate certain key aspects of mathematical modelling to explain the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS at the workplace and to assess the potential benefits of proposed control strategies. Deterministic models to investigate the effects of the transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS on labour force productivity are formulated. The population is divided into mutually exclusive but exhaustive compartments and a system of differential equations is derived to describe the spread of the epidemic. The qualitative features of their equilibria are analyzed and conditions under which they are stable are provided. Sensitivity analysis of the reproductive number is carried out to determine the relative importance of model parameters to initial disease transmission. Results suggest that optimal control theory in conjunction with standard numerical procedures and cost effective analysis can be used to determine the best intervention strategies to curtail the burden HIV/AIDS is imposing on the human population, in particular to the global economy through infection of the most productive individuals. We utilise Pontryagin’s Maximum Principle to derive and then analyze numerically the conditions for optimal control of the disease with effective use of condoms, enlightenment/educational programs, treatment regime and screening of infectives. We study the potential impact on productivity of combinations of these conventional control measures against HIV. Our numerical results suggest that increased access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) could decrease not only the HIV prevalence but also increase productivity of the infected especially when coupled with prevention, enlightenment and screening efforts.

Introdução: Pacientes com infecção pelo HIV têm risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento de linfomas não-Hodgkin de células B comparado à população geral. Dentre os mecanismos que podem estar relacionados a esta patologia, encontra-se a reativação do vírus de Epstein-Barr secundária a imunossupressão. O papel do sistema imune para desenvolvimento de tumores é citado há longa data, e seu equilíbrio é mantido pelos linfócitos T regulatórios, cujo principal regulador e marcador é o fator de transcrição FOXP3. Neste estudo, avaliamos a presença de EBER e FOXP3 em amostras diagnósticas, além da carga viral para o vírus de Epstein-Barr em pacientes com linfomas relacionados à Aids a fim de avaliar e correlacionar os resultados como marcadores prognósticos nesta população. Métodos: Análise prospectiva da carga viral para Epstein-Barr no plasma e em células mononucleares do sangue periférico em 15 pacientes com linfomas relacionados à Aids acompanhados no Serviço de Hematologia do Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas e do Hospital das Clínicas/Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. As mensurações foram realizadas para cada paciente por reação da cadeia de polimerase em tempo real ao diagnóstico, término do tratamento e três meses após o término do tratamento. Dois grupos controles constituídos de 26 pacientes infectados pelo HIV em uso de anti-retroviral e sem diagnóstico de linfoma ou infecção oportunista e 30 indivíduos saudáveis também foram analisados para comparação da carga viral para o vírus de Epstein-Barr. Amostras coletadas por biópsia para o diagnóstico de linfoma foram submetidas a análise imuno-histoquímica para FOXP3 e para EBER por hibridização in situ. Resultados: 13 pacientes eram do sexo masculino e dois do sexo feminino, dos quais 14 foram tratados com quimioterapia e um com radioterapia de sistema nervoso central. Nove de 15 pacientes (60%) completaram o tratamento proposto e obtiveram remissão completa. A mediana da carga viral para o vírus de Epstein-Barr antes do tratamento foi 13 cópias/106 nas células mononucleares do sangue periférico (1-1472 cópias/106) e 70 cópias/mL (0-24900 cópias/mL) no plasma. Após o tratamento foi de 0,5/106 (0-109,5) e indetectável no plasma, com diminuição significativa da carga viral em células mononucleares do sangue periférico (p=0,022) e no plasma (p=0,003) ao término do tratamento em comparação ao diagnóstico. Nos pacientes em remissão completa, a carga viral para o vírus de Epstein-Barr diminuiu tanto no plasma como em células mononucleares do sangue periférico na maioria dos casos. A hibridização in situ para EBER resultou positiva em 7/15 (46,7%) casos, sendo significativamente superior no grupo de pacientes com linfomas relacionados a AIDS com mais de um sítio extralinfonodal comprometido (p=0,041) e com linfócitos T CD4 <100 células/L (p=0,026). A expressão de FOXP3 foi negativa em 15/15 (100%) dos pacientes com ARL. Conclusões: A expressão de EBER foi positiva em 7/15 (46,7%) dos pacientes com linfomas relacionados à Aids e superior de forma significativa nos pacientes com estádio mais avançado do linfoma e maior grau de imunossupressão. Observou-se diminuição estatisticamente significativa da mediana de carga viral para o vírus de Epstein-Barr em células mononucleares do sangue periférico (p=0,022) e plasma (p=0,003) após o tratamento do linfoma em comparação aos valores do diagnóstico em pacientes que atingiram remissão completa, o que poderia ser considerado um marcador prognóstico de resposta a terapia / Introduction: Patients with HIV infection have increased risk for development of non-Hodgkins lymphoma compared to general population. Among mechanisms that could be related to this disease is the reactivation of Epstein-Barr virus infection secondary to immunosuppression. The role of immune system in development of tumors was reported a long time ago, and balance of this system is maintained by regulatory T cells; FOXP3 transcription factor is the main regulator and marker of these cells. In this study we evaluated the presence of EBER and FOXP3 in diagnostic samples, and also viral load of Epstein-Barr virus in patients with Aids-related lymphoma to evaluate and correlate the results as prognostic markers in this population. Methods: Prospective analysis of viral load of Epstein-Barr virus in plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 15 patients with Aids-related lymphoma treated at Instituto de Infectologia Emílio Ribas and Hospital das Clínicas/Instituto do Câncer do Estado de São Paulo da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Viral load measures were performed by real time polymerase chain reaction at diagnosis of lymphoma, completion of treatment and three months afterwards. Two control groups composed by 26 HIV-positive patients in use of HAART and without diagnosis of lymphoma or opportunistic infection and 30 healthy persons were also analyzed for viral load comparison. Biopsy samples performed to lymphoma diagnosis were submitted to immunohistochemistry for FOXP3 and in situ hybridization to EBER. Results: 13 patients were male and two females, 14 were treated with chemotherapy and one with radiotherapy of central nervous system. Nine of 15 patients (60%) completed treatment achieving complete remission. Median viral load of Epstein-Barr virus before treatment was 13 copies/106 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (1-1472 copies/106) and 70 copies/mL (0-24900 copies/mL) in plasma. After treatment it was 0,5/106 (0-109,5) and not detectable in plasma, with significant decrease of viral load in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p=0,022) and in plasma (p=0,003) after treatment compared to diagnosis. In patients with complete remission, viral load decreased in the majority of cases. In situ hybridization for EBER was positive in 7/15 (46,7%), and significant higher in the group of patients with Aids-related lymphoma with more than one extra nodal site (p=0,041) and CD4 T-cells <100 cells/L (p=0,026). FOXP3 expression was negative in 15/15 (100%) of patients with ARL. Conclusions: EBER expression was positive in 7/15 (46,7%) of patients with Aids-related lymphoma and significantly higher in patients with advanced stages of lymphoma and higher degree of immunosuppression. Significant decrease in median viral load of Epstein-Barr virus was observed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (p=0,022) and plasma (p=0,003) after lymphoma treatment compared to diagnosis in patients that achieved complete remission, what could be considered a prognostic marker of response to therapy

Objetivo: Apresentar o desenvolvimento, a validação e a aplicação do Questionário Qualiaids de Monitoramento da Adesão ao Tratamento Antirretroviral ou Web Adherence Qualiaids Questionnaire (WebAd-Q), um instrumento de autorrelato para monitorar a adesão de pacientes sob tratamento em serviços públicos de HIV no Brasil. Métodos: O WebAd-Q contém três perguntas sobre horário, medicamentos e doses tomadas na última semana. Foi construído a partir de entrevistas e grupos focais com 38 pacientes. Após pilotada, sua versão eletrônica teve a validade testada em estudo para o qual foram convidados 90 pacientes maiores de 18 anos, sob terapia antirretroviral (TARV) há pelo menos três meses. Os pacientes foram orientados a utilizar frascos com monitoramento eletrônico por 60 dias. O questionário foi respondido no sexagésimo dia por duas vezes, com intervalo mínimo de uma hora. A adesão foi também mensurada por contagem de comprimidos e entrevista de autorrelato. A carga viral de cada paciente foi obtida nos registros do serviço. Analisou-se a concordância entre as respostas ao WebAd-Q, a correlação com carga viral e a associação com outras medidas de adesão. Após o estudo de validação, o WebAd-Q foi empregado em uma pesquisa nacional para medir a adesão dos pacientes à TARV nos serviços de HIV/aids do SUS. Foram sorteados 55 serviços de diversas características institucionais de todo o país. Após o convite aos serviços, o WebAd-Q foi instalado em computadores e respondido por pacientes eleitos sistematicamente conforme chegada aos serviços. Resultados: Entre os 90 pacientes convidados, 75 (83,3%) responderam o WebAd-Q. Não foram relatadas dificuldades em responder ao questionário. O tempo médio de resposta foi 5,8 minutos. O conjunto das três questões do WebAd-Q obteve uma concordância de 88%, com Kappa de 0,74 (IC95% 0,56 - 0,92, p < 0,0001). A correlação da escala de não adesão do WebAd-Q e a carga viral foi de 0,42 (p < 0,0001). A questão 2 (medicamentos) teve o melhor desempenho, associando-se com todas as outras medidas, com exceção da contagem de comprimidos para 60 dias. Na aplicação nacional, ao todo 2424 pacientes responderam ao WebAd-Q. Todos conseguiram completar o questionário sem dificuldades. O sistema eletrônico apresentou poucas falhas e o questionário foi bem recebido por pacientes e pelos profissionais dos serviços. Conclusões: O WebAd-Q atendeu a todos os quesitos considerados relevantes para a validação de questionários, foi bem entendido por pacientes, obteve uma boa concordância, apresentou uma correlação moderada com a carga viral e associação com as medidas concorrentes. Portanto, mostrou propriedades satisfatórias para o monitoramento da adesão em serviços de HIV / Objective: To present the development, validation and application of the Web Adherence Qualiaids Questionnaire (WebAd-Q), a tool to monitor self-reported adherence among patients receiving care in Brazilian public HIV healthcare facilities. Methods: The WebAd-Q contains three questions regarding dosing time, drugs and doses taken on the last week. It was developed through interviews and focus groups with 38 patients. After piloted, the electronic version was submitted to statistical validity with 90 adult patients receiving antiretroviral therapy for at least three months. Patients were instructed to use event monitoring bottles for 60 days. The WebAd-Q was completed at the 60th day. Adherence was also measured by pill counting and self-report interview. Viral load was obtained from patient records. Concordance was analyzed, as well as correlations with viral load and associations between adherence measures and the WebAd-Q. After the validation study, the WebAd-Q was submitted to a national survey to measure adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV facilities from the Brazilian health system. Fifty-five sites were selected among different institutional characteristics. At these sites, the WebAd-Q was installed in computers and completed by patients chosen systematically as they arrived at the facilities. Results: Among 90 patients invited to participate in the study, 75 (83.3%) completed the WebAd-Q. No difficulties to answer the questionnaire were reported. Mean answer time for the WebAd-Q was 5.8 minutes. The three questions presented a concordance of 88% and Kappa of 0.74 (IC95% 0.56 - 0.92, p < 0.0001). The correlation obtained with viral load was 0.42 (p < 0.0001). The question regarding drugs taken had a better performance, with significant associations with all other adherence measures, except for pill counting for 60 days. At the application study, 2424 patients completed the questionnaire without difficulties. The electronic system presented few glitches and the questionnaire was welcomed by patients and healthcare professionals. Conclusions: The WebAd-Q complied with all aspects considered relevant for the validation of self-reported questionnaires. It was well understood by patients and presented a good concordance, moderate correlation with viral load and association when compared to concurrent adherence measures. Therefore, the questionnaire adequate proprieties to monitor adherence in HIV healthcare facilities

Introdução: O emprego da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) proporcionou dramático impacto na mortalidade por aids e aumento na sobrevida. Entretanto, esse panorama depende da manutenção de altas taxas de adesão ao tratamento medicamentoso. A relevância da adesão tem sido reconhecida pelo Programa Nacional de DST e Aids desde o final dos anos 1990. Em que pese o destaque que o plano propositivo do Programa tem dado para a questão, ainda não dispõe de estudo atualizado sobre o número e tipo das atividades que estão em curso nos serviços. Este estudo teve por objetivo descrever as atividades de adesão em curso nos serviços de HIV/aids do Estado de São Paulo. Métodos: Foi enviado um questionário semi-estruturado para todos os 179 ambulatórios de HIV/aids do Estado, com perguntas sobre o tipo de serviço, pessoas sob TARV, formas e frequências de avaliação de adesão, atividades desenvolvidas (individuais, coletivas e para grupos específicos) e parcerias com organizações não governamentais. Para testar associação entre variáveis categóricas utilizou-se o teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson ou os testes exato de Fisher ou teste da razão de verossimilhanças, no nível de significância de p<0,05. A análise de agrupamento foi utilizada para investigar cada uma das associações de cada resposta com as variáveis: tamanho do município, tipo e tamanho das clínicas. Resultados: 136 dos ambulatório (76%) responderam à pesquisa. Quase todos (96,3%) relataram incentivar a adesão na prática clínica, predominantemente nas consultas de médicos (94,1%) e enfermeiros (67,6%). A maioria (78,7%) relatou avaliar a adesão através de registros da farmácia. Grupos (38,2%) e palestras (28,7%) foram as atividades de grupo mais conduzidas. A análise de agrupamento identificou três grupos de ambulatórios, dois deles muito distintos. Grupo 1 (27 ambulatórios) foi composto predominantemente por unidades de saúde básica, com menos de 100 pacientes, apresentaram a menor freqüência de avaliação da adesão e menos atividades individuais e em grupo. Grupo 2 (51 ambulatórios) foi constituído principalmente por ambulatórios especializados em HIV/aids, com mais de 500 pacientes, com maior freqüência de avaliação da adesão, maior participação de psicólogos, assistentes sociais e farmacêuticos e mais atividades individuais e em grupo. Grupo 3 (56 ambulatórios) foi composto em sua maioria por ambulatórios de especialidades e de médio porte, com a maioria das atividades semelhantes ao Grupo 2, exceto pela ausência de atividades para grupos específicos e menos envolvimento multidisciplinar. Conclusão: Dado o amplo reconhecimento da importância da adesão por parte das clínicas, ainda há poucas atividades específicas de adesão no Estado. As clínicas maiores e mais especializadas tendem a oferecer mais atividades individuais e em grupo, utilizando abordagens multidisciplinares. Maior atenção deve ser dada para a descentralização do atendimento às pessoas vivendo com HIV para assegurar cuidados de qualidade mais homogêneos em toda a rede ambulatorial. / Introduction: The use of antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has provided dramatic impact on AIDS mortality and improved survival. However, this scenario depends on maintaining high rates of adherence to HAART. The relevance of adherence has been recognized by the National STD/AIDS Program since the late 1990s. Despite the emphasis that the Program has given to the issue, there have been no study to date on the number and type of activities that are underway in the services. This study aimed to describe the HAART adherence support activities in Sao Paulo State HIV/AIDS clinics. Methods: We sent a semi structured questionnaire to all 179 HIV/AIDS clinics with questions about type of clinic, people on HAART, adherence assessment, activities (individual, group and for specific groups). To test association between categorical variables used the chi-square test or Fisher exact test or likelihood ratio test at a significance level of p <0.05. Cluster analysis was used to investigate each association of each answer with the variables: municipality size, type and size of the clinics. Results: 136 clinics (76%) answered the survey. Almost all (96.3%) reported encouraging adherence in clinical practice, particularly in the medical (94.1%) and nurse (67.6%) visits. Most (78,7%), reported assessing adherence by pharmaceutical records. Groups (38.2%) and lectures (28.7%) were the group activities most developed. Cluster analysis identified three groups of clinics; two of them were too different. Group 1 (27 clinics) was predominately composed by primary care clinics, with less than 100 patients, the lowest frequency of assessing adherence and fewer individual and group activities. Group 2 (51 clinics) predominately composed by HIV specialized clinics specializing, HIV/AIDS, with more than 500 patients, assessing adherence more frequently, with greater involvement of psychologists, social workers and pharmacists developing more individual and group activities. Group 3 (56 clinics) was predominately composed by medium size specialized clinics, with majority of activities similar to Group 2, except by the absence of activities to specific groups and less multidisciplinary involvement. Conclusion: Given the broad recognition of the adherence importance by the clinics, there are still few specific adherence activities. The larger and more specialized clinics tend to provide more individual and group activities, using multidisciplinary approaches. Greater attention should be given to the decentralization of care offered to people living with HIV to ensure more homogeneous quality care across the ambulatory network.