1. Socioeconomic factors explain suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected Australian adults with viral suppression
- Author
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Siefried, Krista J, Mao, Limin, Kerr, Stephen, Cysique, Lucette A, Gates, Thomas M, McAllister, John, Maynard, Anthony, de Wit, John, Carr, Andrew, PAART study investigators, Siefried, Krista J, Mao, Limin, Kerr, Stephen, Cysique, Lucette A, Gates, Thomas M, McAllister, John, Maynard, Anthony, de Wit, John, Carr, Andrew, and PAART study investigators
- Abstract
BACKGROUND: Missing more than one tablet of contemporary antiretroviral therapy (ART) per month increases the risk of virological failure. Recent studies evaluating a comprehensive range of potential risk factors for suboptimal adherence are not available for high-income settings.METHODS: Adults on ART with undetectable viral load (UDVL) were recruited into a national, multi-centre cohort, completing a comprehensive survey assessing demographics, socio-economic indicators, physical health, well-being, life stressors, social supports, HIV disclosure, HIV-related stigma and discrimination, healthcare access, ART regimen, adherence, side effects, costs and treatment beliefs. Baseline data were assessed, and suboptimal adherence was defined as self-reported missing ≥1 ART dose/month over the previous 3-months; associated factors were identified using bivariate and multivariate binary logistic regression.RESULTS: We assessed 522 participants (494 [94.5%] men, mean age = 50.8 years, median duration UDVL = 3.3 years [IQR = 1.2-6.8]) at 17 sexual health, hospital, and general practice clinics across Australia. Seventy-eight participants (14.9%) reported missing ≥1 dose/month over the previous three months, which was independently associated with: being Australian-born (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] = 2.4 [95%CI = 1.2-4.9], p = 0.014), not being in a relationship (AOR = 3.3 [95%CI = 1.5-7.3], p = 0.004), reaching the "Medicare safety net" (capping annual medical/pharmaceutical costs) (AOR = 2.2 [95%CI = 1.1-4.5], p = 0.024), living in subsidised housing (AOR = 2.5 [95%CI = 1.0-6.2], p = 0.045), receiving home-care services (AOR = 4.4 [95%CI = 1.0-18.8], p = 0.046), HIV community/outreach services linkage (AOR = 2.4 [95%CI = 1.1-5.4], p = 0.033), and starting ART following self-request (AOR = 3.0 [95%CI = 1.3-7.0], p = 0.012).CONCLUSIONS: In this population, 15% reported recent suboptimal ART adherence at levels associated in prospective studies with subse
- Published
- 2017