The current analysis has pointed out the importance of clinical and health service characteristics as potential indicators of non-adherence after initiating therapy. Early assessment and intervention strategies should be priorities in these AIDS public referral centres. Feasible and reliable indicators for the routine monitoring of adherence should be incorporated in clinical practice.

This study aimed to identify the characteristics associated to quality of life (QOL)

Although there was variability regarding the association between complexity and adherence, most studies showed that an increased regimen complexity reduces medication adherence.

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Introduction: High level of HIV/AIDS knowledge is required for an effective adoption of preventive strategies. Objective: To assess HIV/AIDS knowledge among men who have sex with men (MSM) in 12 Brazilian cities. Methods: Respondent-Driven Sampling method was used for recruitment. HIV/AIDS knowledge was assessed by Item Response Theory. Difficulty and discrimination parameters were estimated, and the knowledge score was categorized in three levels: high, medium, and low. Logistic regression was used for analysis. Results: Among 4,176 MSM, the proportion of high level of knowledge was 23.7%. The following variables were positively associated with high knowledge (p < 0.05): age 25+ years old, 12+ years of schooling, white skin color, having health insurance, having suffered discrimination due to sexual orientation, having had a syphilis test, and having received educational material in the previous 12 months. Exchanging sex for money was negatively associated. Conclusions: The proportion of only 23.7% of high HIV/AIDS knowledge was low. We should note that the only potential source of knowledge acquisition associated with high level of knowledge was receiving educational materials. Our study indicates the need for expansion of public prevention policies focused on MSM and with more effective communication strategies, including the development of knowledge that involves motivation and abilities for a safer behavior.

Abstract

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To assess the understanding of information related to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected patients enrolled in public AIDS services (Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil), a cross-sectional analysis was carried out, based on interviews with patients after initial provision of antiretroviral drugs. The study evaluated the information on antiretroviral therapy provided by healthcare professionals and the patients' level of understanding in relation to prescription information. This level was classified as insufficient if there was disagreement of more than 30.0% between the information reported by the patient and the written prescription. Divergence between prescriptions and information reported by 358 interviewed patients was observed. The level of understanding regarding the prescribed antiretroviral was obtained, and 26.3% of patients displayed insufficient understanding. The results show an important proportion of patients with misunderstanding of information regarding antiretroviral therapy, mainly those with limited schooling and low income. It is necessary to bolster strategies to increase quality of recommendations provided to these patients. Improving the multidisciplinary team approach to patient care should help reverse the observed situation.