Adherence to medication treatment: a qualitative study of facilitators and barriers among a diverse sample of HIV+ men and women in four US cities. AIDS Behav 2003 Mar;7(1):61-72
Date
10/10/2003Pubmed ID
14534391DOI
10.1023/a:1022513507669Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0038625109 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 174 CitationsAbstract
Most studies examining HIV antiretroviral medication treatment adherence involve quantitative surveys. Although these studies have identified factors associated with medical adherence, no single variable or combination of variables is sufficiently consistent to apply to any individual or group of people. Using qualitative methods, an ethnically diverse sample (N=110) of HIV+ women, men who have sex with men, and male injecting drug users in four U.S. cities were interviewed in depth to elicit their experiences, perspectives, and life contexts regarding knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and experiences with HIV medication adherence. Most described multiple influences on medication-taking behavior, describing adherence as a dynamic phenomenon that changes over time with their changing beliefs, attitudes, emotions, and daily and larger life events. Prevalent themes include ambivalence toward HIV medication and intentional nonadherence, usually to address physical side effects. Factors from different domains (e.g., cognitive, emotional, interpersonal) can have compensatory influences on behavioral outcomes. Findings are discussed in terms of social action theory, contributing to our theoretical understanding of the phenomenon of adherence.
Author List
Remien RH, Hirky AE, Johnson MO, Weinhardt LS, Whittier D, Le GMAuthor
Lance S. Weinhardt MS,PhD Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Community and Behavioral Health Promotion in the Joseph. J. Zilber School of Public Health department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdult
Anti-Retroviral Agents
Drug Utilization
Female
HIV Seropositivity
Homosexuality, Male
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Compliance
Social Facilitation
Social Support
Substance Abuse, Intravenous
United States
