A study on antiretroviral treatment compliance in Casablanca (Morocco)

Objective. - Compliance in HIV infection treatment is a major stake to give worldwide access to antiretroviral (ARV) treatment and especially in Africa. In September 2003, we undertook a study on compliance among HIV positive patients under antiretroviral treatment. These patients were included in a therapeutic educational program in the infectious diseases department of the Casablanca University Hospital (Morocco). The main objective of the study was to assess obstacles to compliance and to find possible solutions. Design. - A transversal investigation was made, based on questionnaires for patients under ARV treatment, chosen consecutively. The physician's and the educator's opinion on patient compliance was collected. Results. - Patients were between 21 and 65 years of age. Ninety-two patients were questioned and 89 analyzed. Treatment duration lasted from 2 to 67 months. Compliance according to educators was good (>90%) for 78 patients. The main obstacles for a good compliance were difficulty to respect administration schedule and the long distance between home and hospital, or the presence of adverse effects and other diseases. Conclusions. - The role of the therapeutic educational program in improving compliance was largely highlighted. © 2005 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits réservés.