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. 2017 Feb;21(2):441-449.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-016-1582-8.

Improved Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Observed Among HIV-Infected Children Whose Caregivers had Positive Beliefs in Medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa

G Abongomera  1   2 , A Cook  3 , V Musiime  4   5 , C Chabala  6 , M Lamorde  7 , J Abach  8 , M Thomason  3 , V Mulenga  6 , A Kekitiinwa  9 , R Colebunders  10 , C Kityo  4 , A S Walker  3 , D M Gibb  3
Affiliations

Improved Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Observed Among HIV-Infected Children Whose Caregivers had Positive Beliefs in Medicine in Sub-Saharan Africa

G Abongomera et al. AIDS Behav. 2017 Feb.

Abstract

A high level of adherence to antiretroviral treatment is essential for optimal clinical outcomes in HIV infection, but measuring adherence is difficult. We investigated whether responses to a questionnaire eliciting caregiver beliefs in medicines were associated with adherence of their child (median age 2.8 years), and whether this in turn was associated with viral suppression. We used the validated beliefs in medicine questionnaire (BMQ) to measure caregiver beliefs, and medication event monitoring system caps to measure adherence. We found significant associations between BMQ scores and adherence, and between adherence and viral suppression. Among children initiating Antiretroviral therapy (ART), we also found significant associations between BMQ 'necessity' scores, and BMQ 'necessity-concerns' scores, and later viral suppression. This suggests that the BMQ may be a valuable tool when used alongside other adherence measures, and that it remains important to keep caregivers well informed about the long-term necessity of their child's ART.

Keywords: Adherence; Antiretroviral therapy; Beliefs in medicine; Children; Sub-Saharan Africa.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethical Approval Approval for this study protocol was obtained from the Research Ethical Committees from UK, Zambia and Uganda. All study participants caregivers signed a written informed consent; in addition older children aware of their HIV status gave assent following research guidelines in Uganda and Zambia.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Association between BMQ scores and viral load suppression <100 copies/ml
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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