Barriers and Facilitators to Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy
Author Information
Author(s): Mills Edward J, Nachega Jean B, Bangsberg David R, Singh Sonal, Rachlis Beth, Wu Ping, Wilson Kumanan, Buchan Iain, Gill Christopher J, Cooper Curtis
Primary Institution: Centre for International Health and Human Rights Studies, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Hypothesis
What are the patient-reported barriers and facilitators to adhering to antiretroviral therapy in both developed and developing nations?
Conclusion
Important barriers to adherence are consistent across multiple settings and countries, highlighting the need for targeted research and interventions.
Supporting Evidence
- Fear of disclosure and forgetfulness were common barriers to adherence.
- Complicated regimens and access to medication were significant issues.
- Positive interpersonal relationships facilitated better adherence.
- Financial constraints were a major barrier in developing countries.
- Qualitative studies provided richer insights into patient experiences.
Takeaway
This study looked at why people sometimes forget to take their HIV medicine and found that many people face similar problems, like being afraid to tell others they are sick or having complicated medicine schedules.
Methodology
The study systematically reviewed qualitative and quantitative studies on barriers and facilitators to adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
Potential Biases
There may be reporting bias in the original studies that could affect the identification of barriers and facilitators.
Limitations
The study is limited by the lack of qualitative research from developing countries and potential reporting bias in the included studies.
Participant Demographics
The studies included participants from both developed (72 studies) and developing nations (12 studies), with a total of 12,902 participants.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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