title: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected prisoners.
abstract: Adherence, the act of following a course of medication in exactly the manner prescribed, is critical for the success of therapy. Adherence is influenced by many behavioural and social factors and incarceration might be one such factor. This study determined the level of adherence and reasons for non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among 93 HIV-infected prisoners. Up to 56% of these patients had poor adherence. A similar rate of adherence was detected in prisoners after release. Problems with antiretroviral adherence among prisoners appear to be mostly linked to their deviant behaviour. Inmates with poor adherence had higher HIV-related morbidity and mortality. Age and country of origin were also associated with adherence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Special Infectious Diseases, AIDS Unit, A. Sygros Hospital, Athens; AIDS Unit, Ag. Pavlos Hospital, Korydallos Prison, Pireus, Greece.
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Paparizos
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kourkounti
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Leuow
authors.forename: Stergios
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgoulas
authors.forename: Kyriakos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kyriakis
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011330:Prisons; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016903:Drug Monitoring