Effects of Pharmaceutical Care and Social Support Program in HIV/AIDS Patients Taking Anti-Retroviral Drugs in Phana Hospital, Amnat Charoen Province

Abstract

The effects of pharmaceutical care integrated with social support program for HIV/AIDS patients in Phana Hospital, Amnat Charoen Province were obtained after 12 weeks of the follow-up. The results were analyzed by evaluating drug adherence for using anti-retrovirals and self-care behaviors. The samples consisted of 72 HIV/AIDS patients who passed the selection criteria. Thirty six samples were independently grouped into the experimental group. Most samples in this group were female (52.80%) and 45- 54 years (72.20%). Their bloods have been infected by HIV for six to nine years (38.89%). Their HIVviral loads were lower than 50 copies/ml (97.22%). Their CD4 levels before joining the program were 201-300 cell/ml (33.33%). All samples in the experimental group joined the program as planned, while the 36 samples in the control group received normal services. Most samples in this group were male (58.30%) and 45-54 years (69.44%). Their bloods have been infected by HIV for two to five years (55.56%). Their HIV-viral loads were lower than 50 copies/ml (94.44%). Their CD4 levels before joining the program were 301-400 cell/ml (36.10%). The mainstays providing the social supports were as follows: one infectious patient, one pharmacist and one officer of the HIV/AIDS clinic. After the experiment, it was found that the experimental group had significantly higher drugs adherence for using the anti-retrovirals timely and completely than the control group (p<0.05). The experiment group also had significantly better understanding in self-care behaviors in the overall and specific terms such as nutrition, exercise, infection control, self-protection from health threats, stress management and relaxation than the control group (p<0.01).