Poor Self-efficacy for Healthcare Provider Interactions Among Individuals with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorders

Abstract

Two factors that influence HIV health behaviors and therefore may contribute to gaps in the HIV treatment continuum are poor health-related self-efficacy and HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). However, the relationship between HAND and self-efficacy has not been assessed. In an HIV sample, 91 individuals with intact cognition (HAND-) and 40 individuals with HAND (HAND+) were administered a measure of self-efficacy for healthcare interactions with providers. Participants with HAND had significantly lower scores on this measure, which were correlated with poorer episodic and semantic memory performance, as well as self-reported memory symptoms in daily life. Findings suggest that neurocognitive impairment, and particularly memory dysfunction, may play an important role in self-efficacy for healthcare interactions in HIV. Further examination of the interplay between HAND and self-efficacy is warranted as these two factors may be important for the public health goal of identifying targets for improving access, delivery, and maintenance of HIV care.

Keywords: Cognition; Episodic memory; HIV; Medication adherence; Self-efficacy.

Figure 1

Self-efficacy for healthcare interactions (BERMA DWHP) is significantly associated with Memory, Semantic Memory, and Memory Complaints (ps < .05). Note: Speed Info Process = Speed of Information Processing; Semantic Mem = Semantic Memory; Exec Functions = Executive Functions; Memory Complaints = Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ); Memory Strategies = The Prospective Memory for Medications Questionnaire (PMMQ).