Brief report: assessing adherence to pediatric antiretroviral regimens using the 24-hour recall interview.
OBJECTIVE
Examine the 24-hr Recall Interview (24RI) for assessing children's antiretroviral medication adherence.


METHODS
Caregivers of 54 children with HIV (aged 2-12 years) completed a clinical adherence interview and the 24RI by telephone. Children's viral load and 3-month pharmacy records were obtained.


RESULTS
Thirty-seven percent of children missed > or = 1 dose of medicine over 3 days. In 22% of the samples, adherence varied across medications. The 24RI adherence scores (Frequency, Interval, and Dietary Adherence) were moderately reliable across the three interviews. Pharmacy refill rates were significantly related to viral load, and 24RI barriers were marginally significantly related to viral load.


CONCLUSIONS
The 24RI, with its systematic, cued recall, and decreased focus on adherence, may reduce socially desirable responding compared to other self-report methods, and reporting adherence barriers may indicate adherence difficulty. However, the validity of the 24RI must be improved to make it a useful measure to include in an adherence assessment battery.
Marhefka
Stephanie L
SL
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 15, New York, New York 10032, USA. sm2443@columbia.edu
Tepper
Vicki J
VJ
Farley
John J
JJ
Sleasman
John W
JW
Mellins
Claude Ann
CA
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents