The Role of a Pharmacist in the Analysis of Adherence Rates and Associated Factors in HIV-Patients Registered on Centralized Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) Programme in the Public Sector in South Africa

The study assessed adherence rates and associated factors in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients registered on the Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme in the public Primary Health Care (PHC) set in South Africa (SA) and the role a pharmacist could be played in ARV adherence. Data were collected from 100 HIV-infected patients during a descriptive cross-sectional study using a standardized-questionnaire and face-to-face-exit interviews. Pill-counts technique was performed and adherence-rate of 95% considered acceptable. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Univariate factors associated with poor-adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) were assessed using ANOVA and a p ≤ 0.05 is considered statistically significant. Of 100 HIV-infected, 74 were females and 26 males with mean-age (± SD) of 38.98 (± 9.24) years enrolled on HAART for more than 36 months. Of these, 26 and 36 were on WHO stages 2 and 3 respectively. Adherence-rates computed from 76 patients revealed 43 (56.6%) having poor adherence-rate and 33 (43.4%) with acceptable adherence rate. Of the demographic factors analyzed age and educational background had an influence on adherence rates with p = 0.087 and 0.097 respectively. Other factors associated with acceptable adherence were: WHO staging (p = 0.016), recent CD4 count (p = 0.07), adverse effects (p = 0.073), stigma (p = 0.027). Of the different areas with waiting times, reception and pharmacy were statistically significant with p = 0.095 and 0.042 respectively.