title: An examination of HIV/AIDS patients who have excellent adherence to HAART.
abstract: This paper examines the attitudes and beliefs of HIV/AIDS patients with excellent adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and how they differ from those with suboptimal adherence. Forty-four persons with HIV/AIDS, 28 men and 16 women, participated in a qualitative semi-structured interview which was based on the Health Belief Model. The main outcomes were themes consistent with several dimensions of this model, reflecting differences in the health-related attitudes and beliefs of the excellent adherers compared to the suboptimal adherers. Patients with excellent adherence voiced the following themes when compared to less adherent patients: (1) believed adherence rates needed to be 90-100% for medication efficacy; (2) trusted their primary providers greatly; (3) took medications even when actively using substances of abuse; (4) were open about their HIV status and received substantial social support; (5) cited staying healthy as their key motivator; (6) were not actively depressed; all had normal CESD scores. Our study suggests that patients with excellent adherence to HAART differ from their less adherent counterparts in terms of key health-related attitudes and beliefs. Identifying and studying excellent adherers provides new insights and strategies for enhancing adherence to HAART.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Memorial Hospital of RI, USA.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Malcolm
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Rosen
authors.forename: V E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Stone
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*