Risk factors for medication non-adherence in an HIV infected population in the Dominican Republic.
High levels of medication adherence are central to HIV treatment success. Barriers to medication adherence may differ by cultural setting. We aimed to determine risk factors for medication non-adherence in HIV infected individuals in the Dominican Republic. Adherence was measured in 300 individuals using a visual analog scale assessing the prior month and dichotomized at 95%. High levels of adherence were reported by 228 (76%). Risk factors for non-adherence included heavy alcohol use: 2.5 times odds (95% CI: 1.4-4.5), having children: 2.2 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.1-4.9) and perceptions of less social support related to adherence: 2 times higher odds (95% CI: 1.1-3.6). Culturally appropriate interventions are needed to address alcohol use, which is common in this setting. Parenting may represent a competing demand on time and resources and be an adherence barrier. Self-reported perceived lack of adherence support may be a useful marker for need for adherence interventions.
Harris
Julian
J
Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Pillinger
Mara
M
Fromstein
Deborah
D
Gomez
Bayardo
B
Garris
Ivelisse
I
Kanetsky
Peter A
PA
Tebas
Pablo
P
Gross
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004293:Dominican Republic; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents