Relationship between self-efficacy and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients: An analytical cross-sectional study in southern Iran.

Background and Aims: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, also known as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), is spreading rapidly in the world, especially in developing countries, and is considered a serious health threat. This study aimed to assess the relationship of adherence antiretroviral therapy (ART) and self-efficacy among people living with HIV. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in March-July 2022 at the Center for Behavioral Diseases in Bandar Abbas. A total number of 208 HIV patients treated with ART entered the study after voluntarily signing an informed letter of consent. The data collection instrument was the adherence to ART questionnaire with the six subscales and the General Self-Efficacy Scale-17 (GSE-17) general self-efficacy questionnaire. Multivariate regression analysis was used to test the relationship among the variables. Results: The participants' mean age was 41.7 ± 8.2 years. Self-efficacy was positively correlated with adherence ART. With every one score of increased self-efficacy, MA increased for 0.85 score ( Conclusion: This study proved the positive relationship of self-efficacy in adherence to ART in HIV patients. The insights offered by this research can help develop a systematic and effective intervention to promote MA in HIV patients. SES and alcohol consumption significantly affect MA.