HIV patients are required to take antiretroviral (ARV) medication regularly and on time for life to suppress the progression of the virus and improve their quality of life. However, treatment adherence remains a challenge, especially in areas with limited access to healthcare services. This study aims to determine the relationship between treatment monitoring through the WhatsApp application, as a form of telemedicine, and ARV treatment adherence in HIV patients at Amal Sehat Hospital, Wonogiri.This research employed a quantitative method with a cross-sectional design. The study population consisted of all HIV patients undergoing ARV therapy at Amal Sehat Hospital, Wonogiri. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling, with a total of 45 respondents. Data were collected through questionnaires and documentation, and analyzed using the Chi-Square test. The results showed a significant relationship between treatment monitoring via WhatsApp and ARV treatment adherence (p > 0.020). This finding suggests that using simple and accessible communication media such as WhatsApp can be an effective strategy to improve treatment adherence among HIV patients.
Keywords: HIV, ARV, treatment adherence, telemedicine, WhatsApp