Antiretroviral therapy in the lives of women of colour with HIV

Appreciating Reasons for Nonadherence in Women

Women aged 15-24 years have an HIV infection rate twice that of men the same age. In this study we examined reasons why HIV-infected women taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) report missing HIV medications. Women (N = 206) on ART were 2.2 times more likely to endorse reasons pertaining to forgetfulness versus reasons pertaining to problems taking pills (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.63, 2.94, p <.001). There was a difference between the adherent and nonadherent groups in types of reasons overall (p <.001, 95% CI = -3.82, -2.03). Using a patient-centered approach to understand type of nonadherence (intentional vs. unintentional) may support development of novel interventions.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy: a survey of factors associated with medication usage

The use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has decreased morbidity and mortality for people living with HIV/AIDS, but adherence to HAART is a critical factor in successful treatment. Adherence to medication is a complex and poorly understood behavior. A survey was undertaken to evaluate subjective correlates of adherence and non-adherence based on previously distilled themes from a qualitative study of adherence. A 60-question survey was completed by patients in the outpatient clinic setting regarding demographics, CD4 cell count, viral load, adherence, and screening questions about medication usage and attitudes toward HIV. Ninety-eight adherent and 34 non-adherent patients completed the survey. After logistic regression analysis, several questions appeared to be the main predictors of non-adherence: Have you ever thought of having HIV as a "punishment?" Do you feel that your medicines are hard to take? Do you believe the medicines for HIV that you take are working for you? These questions may be helpful in the development of a clinically useful screening tool to assess patients at risk for non-adherence.