title: Evaluation of a brief low-cost intervention to improve antiretroviral treatment decisions.
abstract: An earlier pilot study found that US DHHS guidelines for antiretroviral treatment were not being successfully implemented (Mann et al., 2000). A brief and inexpensive intervention (visual aid checklist) was developed with the assistance of HIV-expert physicians in order to aid HIV/AIDS health care providers' and their patients' decisions about antiretroviral therapy. The visual aid checklist consisted of a two-page coloured diagram and explanation of key concepts (T-cell, viral load and resistance) and a checklist of the benefits and risks of antiretroviral therapy. Twenty adult HIV-positive subjects and eight health care providers were studied. Ten subjects were observed with their providers without the intervention being used, and then ten subjects were observed with the intervention. A pre-/post-test format was used to assess the patients' antiretroviral knowledge, patient-provider discussion of the DHHS guidelines, and provider satisfaction with the intervention. No differences in baseline HIV knowledge were found between the two groups. Results showed that patients in the intervention condition had greater knowledge of the benefits and risks of antiretroviral therapy than patients in the control condition. Providers reported that the intervention was useful in aiding and encouraging communication as well as conveying knowledge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles 90095, USA. grusky@ucla.edu
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grusky
authors.forename: W D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Marelich
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Erger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mann
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johnston Roberts
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Neil Steers
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damesyn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001296:Audiovisual Aids; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D003657:Decision Making; D004501:Education, Medical; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents