title: HIV treatment adherence, patient health literacy, and health care provider-patient communication: results from the 2010 AIDS Treatment for Life International Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about patients' health literacy regarding antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and drug resistance and patient-provider communication about these topics.
  
  
  METHODS
  The AIDS Treatment for Life International Survey was a multicountry cross-sectional study (January-March 2010) including 2035 HIV-infected adults. A 40-minute interview was conducted using a standardized self-report adherence questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 57% of patients reported a 30-day recall of 100% adherence (Latin America: 89%; Africa: 73% vs North America: 45% and Asia Pacific: 47%; P < .01). Overall, 18% identified HIV drug resistance as a "good thing" in North America (35%) and Africa (24%). Only 71% said their health care providers had offered practical recommendations about adherence, 62% of the patients in North America and 80% in Latin America and Africa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Optimal ART adherence remains a challenge globally. There is a critical need to improve patient-provider communication about the importance of ART adherence and its benefits for patient's health.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Medicine and Centre for Infectious Diseases (CID), Stellenbosch University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Jean B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Nachega
authors.forename: Chelsea
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morroni
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Zuniga
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schechter
authors.forename: Jürgen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rockstroh
authors.forename: Suniti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Solomon
authors.forename: Renslow
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sherer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D001938:Brazil; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D037001:Directive Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D056910:Republic of Korea; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents