Improving medication adherence in African-American women living with HIV/AIDS: Leveraging the provider role and peer involvement.
African-American women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV-related morbidity and mortality. To address the burden of HIV/AIDS among this at-risk population, there is need to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence and affect their care-seeking behavior and specifically adherence to antiretroviral treatment. A preliminary qualitative study was conducted with a sample of the target population (n = 10) using grounded theory as the methodological approach. Similarly, 21 healthcare providers - physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and case managers - were then interviewed. A thematic analysis of the transcripts compared care-provider perceptions and narrated experiences with those from the patient participants. Themes related to patient care perceived to enhance medication adherence included (1) provider-patient relationship; (2) holistic and patient-centered care; (3) adequacy of patient education and counseling; (4) modeling adherence behavior; and (5) motivation. Two intervention strategies are proposed - Peer educators as an integral part of the care team and Patient Advisory Groups as a feedback mechanism to enhance effective delivery of patient care in the target population. This exploratory research lays a foundation for the design of targeted interventions to improve linkage to care and enhance medication adherence in African-American women living with HIV/AIDS.
a Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Pharmaceutical Sciences , University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy , 235 Life Sciences, 1110 Kirby Drive, Duluth , MN 55812-3003 , USA.
Olihe
O
Okoro
b Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, College of Pharmacy , University of Florida , 9200 113th Street North, Seminole , FL 33772 , USA.
Folakemi T
FT
Odedina
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D014481:United States
African–American women; HIV/AIDS; healthcare provider; medication adherence; peer educator