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. 2009 Nov;6(4):177-86.
doi: 10.1007/s11904-009-0024-x.

Improving the self-report of HIV antiretroviral medication adherence: is the glass half full or half empty?

Ira B Wilson  1 , Amanda E Carter, Karina M Berg
Affiliations

Improving the self-report of HIV antiretroviral medication adherence: is the glass half full or half empty?

Ira B Wilson et al. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Self-reports are the most widely used method for measuring antiretroviral adherence. The association between self-reports and viral loads has been repeatedly demonstrated, but this association does not address how well self-reports measure actual medication-taking behaviors. Understanding adherence self-reports requires studying the science of memory and the reporting of behaviors. In the first section of this review, we discuss research in cognitive psychology that pertains to adherence self-reports, focusing primarily on studies that examine cognitive processes respondents use to answer survey questions. In the second section, we review recent articles examining the relationship between self-reports and objective measures of adherence, highlighting the strength of associations and key methodologic issues. We conclude with key questions for future research and methodologic recommendations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure

No potential conflicts of interest relevant to this article were reported.

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