[Monitoring and evaluation of adherence to ARV treatment for HIV/AIDS: challenges and possibilities]

The advances in research and treatment regimens have transformed aids into a chronic illness, with a marked increase in the quality of life of those living with HIV/aids. This brings new challenges in understanding and treating the disease and those living with it. From this perspective, adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has been made a priority in the public policy of countries such as Brazil. This article discusses the challenges and potential solutions to the monitoring and evaluation of adherence to ART as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the techniques available for its assessment. Emphasis was given to the work done in countries with scarce resource with patients who have little or no formal education. It is necessary to take into account logistic, conceptual and empirical aspects in the choice of methods to monitor the adherence, examining sociocultural and economic contexts, especially in countries with scarce resource. The conclusion is that identify adequate and effective ways of measuring adherence remains an important challenge for those who work with HIV/aids.