Abstract

Human Immuno deficiency Virus Infection /Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a disease of the human immune system caused by infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).The Highly Active Anti Retro-Viral Therapy (HAART) is a complex therapy due to which the patient will be non adherent. Non adherence to the medications and lack of knowledge about disease is a major challenge to the effective management of HIV/AIDS. The reasons for non-compliance include factors such as complexity of treatment regimen, forgetfulness, patient beliefs about therapy and other socio- psychological factors. This may further lead to morbidity, mortality and many opportunistic infections. The study aims to assess, knowledge and medication adherence by means of structured knowledge assessment questionnaires and modified morisky’s medication adherence questionnaires and improve the HIV patients disease knowledge and medication adherence which will improve the therapeutic outcomes. A prospective, interventional study was conducted for a period of 6 months at the ART Center District hospital gulbarga . A total of 113 patients were enrolled into the study, among them only109 patients subjects, among them male patients were (53.21%) compared to females (46.78%) age group of 18-28years (27.52%). The assessment of patients disease knowledge and medication adherence showed that there was a statistical significant improvement (P<0.001) in their knowledge and medication adherence score from baseline to subsequent follow ups.Clinical Pharmacist can play a vital role in improving the knowledge and medication adherence which in turn improves the therapeutic outcomes thereby reduces the mortality and morbidity rate.