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Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and Tuberculosis Treatment in a Prison of Tehran, Iran Publisher Pubmed



Seyedalinaghi SA1 ; Farhoudi B2 ; Mohraz M1 ; Alipour A2 ; Golrokhy R1 ; Hosseini M3 ; Miri J4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High Risk Behaviors, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Islamic Azad University, Tehran Medical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Health and Treatment Office of Iranian Prisons Organization, Tehran, Iran

Source: Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets Published:2016


Abstract

Background: The human immune system can be impaired due to lack of adherence to treatment among HIV positive patients. This is reflected in lower levels of CD4 count and incomplete viral suppression leading to the disease’s progression and increased risks of opportunistic infections. Little is known about adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and Tuberculosis (TB) treatment and barriers to ART adherence faced by prisoners. Therefore, we conducted a study to evaluate adherence to ART, treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI), and TB treatment and barriers of ART adherence in the Great Tehran Prison in 2014. Materials and Methods: We conducted a study to evaluate adherence to ART, latent TB infection treatment, and TB treatment via Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) among HIV positive patients in the Great Tehran Prison in 2014. Furthermore, we examined the barriers of adherence to ART through focus group discussions (FGDs) with 22 people living with HIV in the prison. Results: The mean of adherence to ART, latent TB infection treatment, and TB treatment were 93.3%, 92.7% and 93.3%, respectively. Addiction, negative drug reactions, bad experiences with staffs, and psychosocial and nutritional problems were cited as the most common barriers to adherence. Conclusion: It is recommended to implement DOT for ART in Iranian prisons. In addition, through removing the barriers and implementation of DOT for ART, HIV positive prisoners can achieve a complete adherence. © 2016 Bentham Science Publishers.
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1. A Follow-Up Program After Prison Release for Hiv-Positive Patients, Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease (2015)
2. Barriers to Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in One of the Prisons in Iran, Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets (2020)
3. Facilitators and Barriers to Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Incarcerated People Living With Hiv in Iran: Insights From a Qualitative Study, Harm Reduction Journal (2025)
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