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. 2010 Jan 1;32(1):19-39.
doi: 10.1177/0164027509348130.

The role of parents and family members in ART treatment adherence: Evidence from Thailand

John Knodel, Jiraporn Kespichayawattana, Chanpen Saengtienchai, Suvinee Wiwatwanich

The role of parents and family members in ART treatment adherence: Evidence from Thailand

John Knodel et al. Res Aging. .

Abstract

High levels of treatment adherence are crucial for the success of expanding ART treatment programs everywhere. Augmenting adherence through treatment supporters is one promising strategy. Most discussions focus on peers, especially members of PHA groups, for this purpose. Far less attention is given to family members and especially older age parents. Yet ART recipients often live with or nearby parents and other family members who are highly motivated to ensure the treatment's success. This study examines the extent that family members, especially parents, assist adherence in Thailand. Results indicate that most adult ART patients live with family members and over half live with or in the same locality as a parent. Family members, including parents, commonly remind ART patients to take medications, especially if coresident. Moreover, parents often remind patients to get resupplies and sometimes accompany them to appointments. Clearly close family members, including parents, should be explicitly incorporated into adherence augmentation programs and provided adequate information to facilitate their role as long-term adherence partners, not only in Thailand but wherever ART recipients are closely linked to family members through living and caregiving arrangements.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Comparison of national government program statistics and ART Recipient Survey with respect to type of government coverage and gender of recipient, Thailand Sources of national program statistics: Government insurance data from National AIDS Prevention and Alleviation Committee (2008), annex 2; gender data from the Ministry of Public Health. Notes: Universal coverage refers to coverage through the National Health Insurance Office. ART recipients not using government insurance are excluded. Government data on gender are preliminary. Results for the ART Recipient Survey exclude 46 cases who received treatment outside the government insurance schemes and 6 cases who did not indicate the source.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percent who currently remind PHA to take medications among all adult ART patients by relationship to PHA and coresidence status, Thailand Source: 2008 ART Recipient Survey
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