title: Optimal recall period and response task for self-reported HIV medication adherence.
abstract: Self-reported measures of antiretroviral adherence vary greatly in recall time periods and response tasks. To determine which time frame is most accurate, we compared 3-, 7-day, and 1-month self-reports with data from medication event monitoring system (MEMS). To determine which response task is most accurate we compared three different 1-month self-report tasks (frequency, percent, and rating) to MEMS. We analyzed 643 study visits made by 156 participants. Over-reporting (self-report minus MEMS) was significantly less for the 1-month recall period (9%) than for the 3 (17%) or 7-day (14%) periods. Over-reporting was significantly less for the 1-month rating task (3%) than for the 1-month frequency and percent tasks (both 12%). We conclude that 1-month recall periods may be more accurate than 3- or 7-day periods, and that items that ask respondents to rate their adherence may be more accurate than those that ask about frequencies or percents.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Clinical Research and Health Policy Studies, Department of Medicine, Tufts-New England Medical Center, #345, 750 Washington St., Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: Minyi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Safren
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Skolnik
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Coady
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hardy
authors.forename: Ira B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D004581:Electronics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012646:Self Administration; D012650:Self Disclosure; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents