title: Impact of a psychoeducative intervention on adherence to HAART among low-literacy patients in a resource-limited setting: the case of an Arab country--Morocco.
abstract: Research has demonstrated that strict adherence is necessary to maximize highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) benefits. This is particularly challenging for low-literacy populations in resource-limited settings like Morocco and motivated the implementation of a psychoeducative program for patients under HAART at Rabat University Hospital. The study aimed at assessing the program's impact on adherence to antiretroviral medication, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and HAART, quality of life, and biological parameters. It included patients under treatment for at least 2 months that benefited from 3 to 5 educational and psychological support sessions. Data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months. In all, 50 patients were included. The mean age was 38 years; 52% were illiterate and 62% unemployed. Adherence scores were high at baseline (98%) and showed no significant change throughout the study. Knowledge of HAART and HIV/AIDS, and quality of life improved significantly both at months 3 and 6. Significant increase for CD4 count rates and decrease for viral load rates were also reported. The program had no significant impact on adherence but substantively developed patients' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and HAART and improved their quality of life.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Internal Medicine A, University Hospital Ibn Sina, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Imane
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Khachani
authors.forename: Hicham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harmouche
authors.forename: Wafa
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ammouri
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rhoufrani
authors.forename: Latifa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zerouali
authors.forename: Redouane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abouqal
authors.forename: Zoubida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tazi-Mezalek
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adnaoui
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aouni
authors.forename: Abdelaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maouni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D003376:Counseling; D003906:Developing Countries; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge; D011788:Quality of Life