METHODS: A total of 30 virally unsuppressed HIV Patients comprising 15 adult men of 30 years and above and 15 adult women of 30 years and above were randomly selected from different 1st line Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) combinations in St Charles Borromeo Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria. 6 men were virally unsuppressed on Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Nevirapine (AZT/3TC/NVP) combination, while 9 men were virally unsuppressed on Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Efavirenz (TDF/3TC/EFV) combination. 7 women were virally unsuppressed on Zidovudine/Lamivudine/Nevirapine (AZT/3TC/NVP) combination, while 8 women were virally unsuppressed on Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Efavirenz (TDF/3TC/EFV) combination. Each of the patients on their different ART combination were placed on monthly EAC for three consecutive months, while close counseling and monitoring were ensured. After three consecutive months, their individual viral load were tested and documented.

RESULTS: 5 men representing 33.3% of men had their viral load reduced to an appreciable amount but still greater than 1000Cp/Ml and hence switched to 2nd line regimen, while 8 men representing 53.3% of men had their viral load drastically reduced below 1000Cp/Ml. 2 men representing 13.35% of men had no significant decrease in their viral load and hence switched to 2nd line regimen. 3 women representing 20% of women had their viral load decreased to an appreciable amount but still greater than 1000Cp/Ml and hence switched to 2nd line regimen, while 10 women representing 66.7% of women had their viral load drastically reduced to below 1000Cp/Ml. 2 women representing 13.3% of women had no significant decrease in their viral load and hence switched to 2nd line regimen.

CONCLUSIONS: Enhance Adherence Counseling renders an appreciable decrease in viral load of patients as it gives a more than 50% patients viral load reduction; hence ensure adherence.