Satisfaction with Healthcare Services and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among Patients with HIV Attending Two Public Institutions.

BACKGROUND: Discontinuation of antiretroviral therapy has adverse consequences in HIV patients and is a major public health problem. We analyzed the relationship between satisfaction with healthcare services and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among patients with HIV in Mexico City.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with patients with HIV (n = 557) who were treated in two public institutions. An ad hoc questionnaire was used to assess perceived satisfaction with healthcare services (i.e. physician/patient relationship, performance of services, and administrative aspects with focus on specific areas) and adherence to HIV treatment (i.e. failure to take antiretroviral therapy on previous day, week, and month).
RESULTS: The higher prevalence of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy was during the previous month (23.5%). Dissatisfied patients with the relationship with their physician were more likely to have low adherence during the previous month (OR: 1.90; p < 0.05). Those who were dissatisfied with the care provided in specific clinical areas had low adherence (OR: 1.67; p = 0.051), but the difference disappeared (OR: 1.26; p = 0.443) after adjusting for satisfaction with physician/patient relationship.
CONCLUSIONS: The quality of the relationship between physician and patients is an aspect that impacts on adherence to antiretroviral therapy. It is necessary to promote effective communication between health personnel and patients with HIV.