ARV treatment fact sheet 04: adherence

ARV treatment is becoming more widely accessible. It is now accepted that people with HIV, their families and communities have an important role to play alongside health workers in ensuring effective and sustained treatment. They should be involved not only in preparing for ARV treatment but also in supporting the life-time commitment that this involves.

The Alliance is developing a set of fact sheets and participatory tools to support community engagement for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. The aim is to provide NGO/CBO staff with tools and information to support PLHA and their communities on ARV treatment. They are based on experience in supporting treatment programmes in several countries.

This fact sheet explains what adherence to ARV treatment is, why it is important, what happens if a person does not adhere and how adherence can be supported.