Gender and other psychosocial factors as predictors of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in adults with comorbid HIV/AIDS, psychiatric and substance-related disorder.
This study assessed adherence to HAART among 67 HIV-infected adults, and the degree to which gender and psychological factors-including depression, drug and alcohol use, quality of life, and medication side effects-influenced adherence. Although overall adherence was greater than rates reported in similar studies, no significant difference in adherence was observed between men and women in the present sample. Medication side effects were a significant predictor of non-adherence in the sample at large and among women in particular, while alcohol dependence was a significant predictor of non-adherence only in women. Possible explanations are explored.
Applebaum
Allison J
AJ
Department of Psychology, Boston University, 648 Beacon Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA, 02215, USA. aja231@bu.edu
Richardson
Mark A
MA
Brady
Stephen M
SM
Brief
Deborah J
DJ
Keane
Terence M
TM
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000523:psychology*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D011584:Psychology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*