Abstract
Food insufficiency is associated with medication non-adherence among people living with HIV/AIDS. The current study examines
the relationship between hunger and medication adherence in a US urban and peri-urban sample of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Men (N = 133) and women (N = 46) living with HIV/AIDS were recruited using snowball sampling and small media in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants completed
computerized behavioral interviews that included measures of demographics, food insufficiency, social support, depression,
and substance use, and provided blood specimens to determine HIV viral load. Participants also completed monthly unannounced
pill counts to prospectively monitor medication adherence over 8 months. Results indicated that 45% of participants were less
than 85% adherent to their medications and that food insufficiency was related to non-adherence; nearly half of non-adherent
participants reported recent hunger. Geocoding of participant residences showed that 40% lived more than 5 miles from the
city center. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for demographics and common factors associated with adherence showed
that the interaction between distance from downtown and experiencing hunger significantly predicted non-adherence over and
above all other factors. Medication adherence interventions should address access to food, particularly for people living
outside of urban centers.
the relationship between hunger and medication adherence in a US urban and peri-urban sample of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Men (N = 133) and women (N = 46) living with HIV/AIDS were recruited using snowball sampling and small media in Atlanta, Georgia. Participants completed
computerized behavioral interviews that included measures of demographics, food insufficiency, social support, depression,
and substance use, and provided blood specimens to determine HIV viral load. Participants also completed monthly unannounced
pill counts to prospectively monitor medication adherence over 8 months. Results indicated that 45% of participants were less
than 85% adherent to their medications and that food insufficiency was related to non-adherence; nearly half of non-adherent
participants reported recent hunger. Geocoding of participant residences showed that 40% lived more than 5 miles from the
city center. Multivariable logistic regression controlling for demographics and common factors associated with adherence showed
that the interaction between distance from downtown and experiencing hunger significantly predicted non-adherence over and
above all other factors. Medication adherence interventions should address access to food, particularly for people living
outside of urban centers.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s11121-011-0222-9
- Authors
- Seth C. Kalichman, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Jennifer Pellowski, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Moira O. Kalichman, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Chauncey Cherry, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- Mervi Detorio, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Angela M. Caliendo, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Raymond F. Schinazi, Center for AIDS Research, Emory University School of Medicine and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Journal Prevention Science
- Online ISSN 1573-6695
- Print ISSN 1389-4986