About the Study
About PrEP
Study Design
Study Medication
Adherence
Hepatitis
DEXA

Adherence

What is adherence?

Adherence is the way in which a person follows the instructions for a treatment prescribed by a physician.

Adherence is reflected in the punctual intake of the study medication and in the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors.

Why is adherence important?

Adherence is important because your health could be affected if you take your study medication incorrectly or if you do not follow your doctor's instructions.

By keeping a high level of adherence, you contribute to everyone's health because the research results will help to design policies and public health programs that will benefit many people.

How to maintain a high level of adherence

Personal factors:

• Get informed. Talk to your doctor and with your counselor about the study and the medication and its effects.
• Try to take your medication on time. Take the medication at the same hour every day; this could help you remember to take it.
• Talk to your counselor if you need support.
• Remember that alcoholic beverages may expose you to risky situations and make you forget to take your medication. Avoid excess.

Factors related to your environment:

• Provide your contact information (phone number, address, e-mail) to study personnel. They can help you remember the instructions from the doctor.
• Look for support from family; it can help you maintain a high level of adherence.

What methods are there to assess adherence?

Direct: Through clinical analyses, it is feasible to know whether a participant has taken his study medication.

Indirect: Through interviews, we can ask whether participants have taken the medication as prescribed by the doctor. Another method is to count the pills left in the returned medication bottle when the participant comes to a clinic appointment. Lastly, there is a record of study-scheduled appointments.