Preliminary findings of an intervention integrating modified directly observed therapy and risk reduction counseling.
Various interventions have been proposed to address these ongoing needs of HIV-positive patients as they encounter challenges with medication adherence and risk reduction. This report presents the findings of a study that pilots 'DAART+', an intervention that integrates modified directly observed therapy (MDOT), and risk reduction counseling for a population of marginally housed, substance-using persons. The pilot study intended to assess the feasibility of the intervention and to obtain data to assess the intervention's potential effectiveness. The preliminary data reveal that 83% of participants who completed the intervention (n=18) had undetectable viral load (VL) (VL< or =400 copies/mL) which represents a 2.15 log(10) decrease from baseline. Risk behaviors also changed modestly with self-reported increases in condom usage.
Mitchell
C G
CG
Midwest AIDS Training & Education Center, Jane Addams College of Social Work, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60607, USA. cgm@uic.edu
Freels
S
S
Creticos
C M
CM
Oltean
A
A
Douglas
R
R
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000592:standards; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D023801:Directly Observed Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control