Abstract
“Forgetting” is the most commonly endorsed reason for missing an antiretroviral therapy (ART) dose, yet little is known about
the prevalence, predictors, and effectiveness of the mnemonic strategies to support ART adherence. The current study assessed
28 self-reported memory-based medication strategies in 233 HIV-infected individuals with 30-day ART adherence measured via
the medication event monitoring system. Participants endorsed using multiple (8.7 ± 5.6) strategies with the most common being
internally-driven. More frequent strategy use was uniquely associated with affective distress, dependent daily functioning,
higher non-ART pill burden, and poorer ART adherence. Individuals who used strategies frequently, but perceived them as minimally
effective, had more affective, physical, and functional distress. More frequent strategy use was associated with worse ART
adherence and was unrelated to perceived effectiveness. Primary reliance on internally-based mnemonic strategies may reflect
a lack of awareness of adherence behaviors and may be insufficient to support optimal ART adherence in vulnerable populations.
the prevalence, predictors, and effectiveness of the mnemonic strategies to support ART adherence. The current study assessed
28 self-reported memory-based medication strategies in 233 HIV-infected individuals with 30-day ART adherence measured via
the medication event monitoring system. Participants endorsed using multiple (8.7 ± 5.6) strategies with the most common being
internally-driven. More frequent strategy use was uniquely associated with affective distress, dependent daily functioning,
higher non-ART pill burden, and poorer ART adherence. Individuals who used strategies frequently, but perceived them as minimally
effective, had more affective, physical, and functional distress. More frequent strategy use was associated with worse ART
adherence and was unrelated to perceived effectiveness. Primary reliance on internally-based mnemonic strategies may reflect
a lack of awareness of adherence behaviors and may be insufficient to support optimal ART adherence in vulnerable populations.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0308-9
- Authors
- K. Blackstone, California Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- S. P. Woods, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 220 Dickinson Street, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- E. Weber, California Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego State University/University of San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- I. Grant, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 220 Dickinson Street, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- D. J. Moore, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, 220 Dickinson Street, Suite B, San Diego, CA 92103, USA
- The HNRP Group
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165