title: Correlates of adherence to combination antiretroviral therapy among members of HIV-positive mixed status couples.
abstract: This exploratory study assessed medication adherence and its correlates in HIV-positive members of HIV mixed status couples. Forty couples were interviewed; the HIV-positive participants consisted of 19 gay men, 14 heterosexual men and seven heterosexual women. Mean self-reported adherence (over the past three days) for the whole sample was 95%; the mean adherence rate for gay men (99%) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of heterosexual men (94%) and heterosexual women (87%) based on a ranked transformation of the adherence score. In analyses involving measures rated by the HIV-positive partner, higher adherence was associated with more years of education, greater perceived treatment efficacy, stronger belief that combination therapy is a significant advancement in treatment, and greater knowledge of HIV treatments and consequences of poor adherence. Higher adherence was associated with the HIV-negative partner attributing less risk to unprotected anal/vaginal sex within the couple, while lower adherence was associated with a greater likelihood that the couple engaged in unprotected anal/vaginal sex in the last two months. A larger sample is needed to substantiate these findings.
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90407, USA. gwagner@rand.org
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Remien
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Carballo-Diéguez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dolezal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D020010:Heterosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012650:Self Disclosure