Factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral medication in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess adherence with antiretroviral medication in a sample of HIV patients in Hong Kong and identify predictors of adherence. The study used a cross-sectional correlational design. Adherence behaviour was assessed with the use of self-reports. Other scales assessed knowledge with HIV medication, coping, health locus of control, anxiety, depression and fatigue. A blood sample was also obtained to assess CD4+ counts and viral load. Sociodemographic characteristics and medical information were obtained from the medical records. A high adherence rate was found in this sample of 136 predominantly Chinese patients. There were only 13.7% of the patients being classified as non-adherent. Predictors of adherence included high self-efficacy in terms of being certain that the medication schedule will be followed all or most of the time as directed, low tension-anxiety scores, and low intensity of nausea and vomiting (R2=0.304). An expanded regression model revealed additional factors influencing adherence, including coping variables, pain and numbness in the hands and feet, age, disease stage, internal locus of control, fatigue, family support and taking medication twice daily. This model explained 49% of the variance in adherence. The results suggest that adherence is a multidimensional concept. Every effort should be made to assess in individuals those variables found to affect adherence and alter them whenever possible. Continuous support of patients and individualized medication programmes that will help patients adjust their treatment to their lifestyle are recommended.

Medication Adherence Mediates the Relationship between Adherence Self-efficacy and Biological Assessments of HIV Health among those with Alcohol Use Disorders

“…In our own previous work investigating these cognitive components, we found that adherence self-efficacy predicted adherence behavior over and above any other cognitive processes (Parsons, Rosof, & Mustanski, 2007). Similarly studies have found patients who believe they are able to take their medications (have high adherence self-efficacy) are more likely to be adherent (Ammassari et al, 2002;Ickovics et al, 2002;Molassiotis et al, 2002). Those who believe in the effectiveness of their HAART medication are more likely to adhere (Wagner et al, 2002); whereas nonadherent patients tend to perceive fewer benefits of HAART (Deschamps et al, 2004).…”

Integrating Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Into Children's Daily Lives: A Qualitative Study

“…Our findings on differences in internalization thus are in line with other studies showing that patients with an internal locus of control achieved better adherence than those with an external locus of control. 33 Regarding the capacity to integrate medication in daily life, adherent caregivers developed an array of solutions to practical problems and stigma. Lessadherent caregivers still perceived these problems as a daily burden.…”

Intentionality of medication non-adherence among individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong

“…In fact, older age and its association with better adherence have been documented in recent literature (Barclay et al, 2007;Hinkin et al, 2002;Hinkin et al, 2004;Solomon & Halkitis, 2008 Participants who had excellent adherence also showed high level of self-efficacy regarding adherence to medication. It is conceivable that patients who believed that they could follow the medication regimen would report excellent adherence rate (Barclay et al, 2007;Molassiotis et al, 2002;Wolf et al, 2007). Result suggests that interventions should not just focus on practicing adherence behaviors, it is also important to increase their belief in their ability to follow the medication regimens (Battaglioli-DeNero, 2007;Chesney et al, 2000).…”