HIV/AIDS Drug Adherence: HIV serostatus disclosure associated with antiretroviral medication adherence

AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, October 30, 2006
Staff Medical Writers

According to a recent report from the United States, "This study examined the relationship between HIV serostatus disclosure and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART).

"The study was conducted with 215 HIV-seropositive patients who demonstrated poor adherence (<80%) and who were in serodiscordant relationships. Participants completed self-report measures regarding HIV serostatus disclosure and reasons for missing ART doses, as well as electronic monitoring of ART adherence (MEMS caps)."

"Overall," reported investigators, "19% of the sample reported missing medication doses in the last 2 months due to concerns regarding serostatus disclosure.

"Participants who reported greater serostatus disclosure to others demonstrated higher rates of adherence, and this relationship remained after controlling for other explanatory variables."

"The relationship between disclosure and adherence was not mediated by practical support for adherence from others," wrote M.J. Stirratt and colleagues at New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Researchers concluded, "Interventions to improve ART adherence should address the role of serostatus disclosure by providing patients with skills to maintain adherence in contexts of nondisclosure and to make informed choices regarding selective disclosure."

Stirratt and colleagues published their study in AIDS and Behavior (The role of HIV serostatus disclosure in antiretroviral medication adherence. AIDS Behav. 2006 Sep;10(5):483-93).

For additional information, contact M.J. Stirratt, New York State Psychiatric Institute & Hospital, HIV Center Clinic & Behavioral Studies, Unit 15, 1051 Riverside Dr., New York City, NY 10032, USA.

Publisher contact information for the journal AIDS and Behavior is: Springer, Plenum Publishers, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.

Keywords: New York, New York, United States, HIV/AIDS, Drug Adherence, Serostatus Disclosure, HAART.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Stirratt MJ, Remien RH, Smith A, et al., “The role of HIV serostatus disclosure in antiretroviral medication adherence”, AIDS Behav. 2006 Sep;10(5):483-93.

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2006-10-30
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