Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and Persistence of HIV RNA in Semen

AIMSMedication non-adherence is a significant health problem. There are numerous methods for measuring adherence, but no single method performs well on all criteria. The purpose of this systematic review is to (i) identify self-report medication adherence scales that have been correlated with comparison measures of medication-taking behaviour, (ii) assess how these scales measure adherence and (iii) explore how these adherence scales have been validated. METHODSCinahl and PubMed databases were used to search articles written in English on the development or validation of medication adherence scales dating to August 2012. The search terms used were medication adherence, medication non-adherence, medication compliance and names of each scale. Data such as barriers identified and validation comparison measures were extracted and compared. RESULTSSixty articles were included in the review, which consisted of 43 adherence scales. Adherence scales include items that either elicit information regarding the patient's medication-taking behaviour and/or attempts to identify barriers to good medication-taking behaviour or beliefs associated with adherence. The validation strategies employed depended on whether the focus of the scale was to measure medication-taking behaviour or identify barriers or beliefs. CONCLUSIONSSupporting patients to be adherent requires information on their medication-taking behaviour, barriers to adherence and beliefs about medicines. Adherence scales have the potential to explore these aspects of adherence, but currently there has been a greater focus on measuring medication-taking behaviour. Selecting the 'right' adherence scale(s) requires consideration of what needs to be measured and how (and in whom) the scale has been validated.

show abstract

“…HIV [25,53,81] and cardiovascular disease [9,82,83]). For the vast majority of disease states, however, no such link has been made.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What are validated self-report adherence scales really measuring?: a systematic review

Nguyen

Caze

Cottrell

2014

Br J Clin Pharmacol

328

304

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…However, by the sixth month, optimal adherence had decreased to 39%. Optimal adherence was found to be associated with both blood and seminal HIV RNA suppression 28 . The same research group carried out a second cross-sectional study of five public health units in Rio de Janeiro and found an overall optimal adherence of 81% 29 .…”

Section: The Challenges Posed By Non-adherence To Haartmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…25 . Such discrepancies in terms of what is being measured and how it is being measured may explain the variation observed, with a range of 52 to 83% of patients considered "adherent" to ARV therapy 26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,37 .…”

Section: The Challenges Posed By Non-adherence To Haartmentioning

confidence: 99%

The first ten years: achievements and challenges of the Brazilian program of universal access to HIV/AIDS comprehensive management and care, 1996-2006

et al. 2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Although antiretroviral drugs can greatly reduce the HIV viral load in semen, they are not foolproof in preventing HIV infection via sexual contact (2,49). A substantial percentage of HIV-positive men have active, potentially infectious viruses in their semen, even after 6 months of therapy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antiretroviral Spermicide WHI-07 Prevents Vaginal and Rectal Transmission of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in Domestic Cats

D’Cruz

Waurzyniak

Uckun

2004

Antimicrob Agents Chemother

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy and Persistence of HIV RNA in Semen

Abstract: Inability to adhere to therapy was strongly associated with persistent shedding of HIV RNA in semen. Measures to improve adherence are urgently needed to reduce the sexual spread of potentially drug-resistant HIV among subjects using antiretrovirals.

Cited by 48 publications

References 18 publications

What are validated self-report adherence scales really measuring?: a systematic review

What are validated self-report adherence scales really measuring?: a systematic review

The first ten years: achievements and challenges of the Brazilian program of universal access to HIV/AIDS comprehensive management and care, 1996-2006

Antiretroviral Spermicide WHI-07 Prevents Vaginal and Rectal Transmission of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus in Domestic Cats

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About