The Effect of the E-Patuh Application on HIV/Aids Patients' Adherence in Consuming Antiretroviral

Abstract

Adherence to medication is a behavior that refers to the client's obedience to following treatment, and making lifestyle changes in accordance with the recommendations from health care providers. Antiretroviral adherence is of utmost importance for HIV / AIDS patients. Its effects are often a problem in antiretroviral treatment and toxicity and are often a reason for switching or stopping antiretroviral treatment. This study aims to determine the effect of the 'E-Patuh' application on antiretroviral adherence in HIV / AIDS patients in West Java. The research design was quasi-experimental with a nonequivalent control group design. The locations of this research were in RSUD Kota Bandung and in RSUD Kota Banjar. Respondents were selected without randomization and used a purposive sampling technique. Respondents in this study were 30 people. The data were obtained using self-report questionnaires. The intervention group was monitored for 30 days with the android-based 'E-Patuh' application and monitored on the 'E-Patuh' website and then measured the value of adherence with self-reports. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 with chi-square test. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the value of adherence before and after the application of 'E-Patuh' in the intervention group (p <0.05) with a value of p = 0.006. The results of this study prove that the use of the 'E-Patuh' application has a positive effect on adherence to ARV medication in the intervention group with the 'E-Patuh' application support system. The use of 'E-Patuh' is very helpful in improving ARV adherence in HIV / AIDS patients. The features contained in 'E-Patuh' are directly reminiscent of the time to take medication for PWLH. 'E-Patuh' should be a consideration for PLHIV and health care providers in hospitals to improve ARV adherence to reduce mortality in people living with HIV.