Medication Adherence In Adolescents Research Articles

3.3 Association Between Symptom Severity and Medication Adherence in Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder Demonstrating Suboptimal Adherence

3.3 Association Between Symptom Severity and Medication Adherence in Adolescents and Young Adults With Bipolar Disorder Demonstrating Suboptimal Adherence

L'adhérence au traitement de maladies chroniques chez les jeunes - Rôle du niveau d'actualisation et de la tolérance au risque.

Adolescents with chronic diseases must adhere to medication regimens to control their symptoms and avoid long-term complications. Despite its importance, medication adherence is low among adolescents. This commentary briefly covers the challenges described in the literature associated with measuring and addressing low medication adherence in adolescents. Next, it presents the evidence for the link between medication adherence and two prevalent psychological characteristics that have not been properly assessed so far: delay discounting (i.e., the relative value assigned to the future compared to the present), and risk tolerance. These psychological traits deserve further studies and are potentially amenable to interventions to improve medication adherence in adolescents with chronic conditions.

'They can stigmatize you': a qualitative assessment of the influence of school factors on engagement in care and medication adherence among adolescents with HIV in Western Kenya.

School-related factors may influence retention in care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We analyzed data from in-depth interviews with 40 adolescents with HIV (aged 14 -19 years), 40 caregivers of adolescents with HIV, and 4 focus group discussions with healthcare workers to evaluate contextual factors affecting adherence to ART and clinic attendance among adolescents, with a focus on the school environment. Informed by Anderson's Model of Health Services Utilization, transcripts were systematically coded and synthesized to identify school-related themes. All groups identified the school environment as a critical barrier to engagement in HIV care and medication adherence for adolescents with HIV. Adolescent participants reported inflexible school schedules and disclosure to school staff as the biggest challenges adhering to clinic appointments and ART. Adolescents described experiencing stigma and discrimination by peers and school staff and would adjust when, where and how often they took ART to avoid inadvertent disclosure. Boarding school students faced challenges because they had limited private space or time. Caregivers were often instrumental in navigating school permissions, including identifying a treatment supporter among school staff. Additional research engaging school staff may guide interventions for schools to reduce stigma and improve adherence and retention.

Associations Between Sleep Quality, Household Income and Medication Adherence in Adolescents With Asthma

Adolescents with asthma are at-risk for poor sleep quality. Little research has examined the relationship between sleep quality and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) adherence. Individuals from lower-income backgrounds experience disparities that may alsocontribute to sleep quality. This study sought to 1) examine associations between household income and sleep quality and 2) analyze the relationship between sleep quality and ICS adherence among adolescents with asthma.Forty-one adolescents with persistent asthma (Mage = 14.83, SD = 1.28) completed the Adolescent Sleep Wake Scale (ASWS) to measure sleep quality across five subscales. Caregivers provided their estimated household income per year and completed a free response question measuring ICS adherence. Spearman’s rank-order correlations were used to examine associations between sleep quality,household income and ICS adherence. Sleep quality and household income were not significantly related (r = .262, p = .098). Sleep quality was not associated with ICS adherence (r = -.028, p = .867). Sleep quality was not significantly related to household income or ICS adherence in adolescents with asthma. Limitations include limited power given a small sample size and less reliable measures of household income and adherence therefore, future directions should focus on using more precise measures. Additional research with larger sample sizes may help better understand potential relationships between sleep quality, ICS adherence, and household income within youth with asthma.

Medication Adherence in Adolescents with Psychiatric Disorders.

Objective: This study investigates whether adolescents' adherence to psychotropic medication is associated with demographic and socioeconomic factors, and to what extent parents' assessments of their offspring's attitudes toward treatment correspond with the adolescents' self-report. Methods: This study is part of the multicenter SEMA study (Subjective Experience and Medication Adherence in Adolescents with Psychiatric Disorders). Adolescents' subjective attitudes toward medication and their adherence were assessed using the patient and parent versions of the QATT (Questionnaire on Attitudes Toward Treatment) and the MARS (Medication Adherence Rating Scale). Furthermore, we collected socioeconomic and demographic data. Results: Of the n = 75 adolescents included in the study, n = 45 (60 %) were classified as completely adherent. Patients receiving monotherapy were more often completely adherent than those receiving a combination of different medications. There was no statistically significant association between adherence and demographic or socioeconomic factors. Consensus between adolescents and their parents regarding adolescents' attitudes toward treatment ranged from slight (κ = 0.157) to fair (κ = 0.205). Conclusion: Incomplete medication adherence in adolescents with psychiatric disorders is a common phenomenon and still poorly understood. Demographic and socioeconomic factors do not seem to be relevant in this respect. However, adolescents' subjective attitudes towards medication, which parents are presumably unable to adequately assess, warrant more careful consideration in future research.

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Asthma App to Monitor Medication Adherence: Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundPoor medication adherence is a major challenge in asthma, and objective assessment of inhaler adherence is needed. The InspirerMundi app aims to monitor adherence while providing a positive experience through gamification and social support.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the InspirerMundi app to monitor medication adherence in adolescents and adults with persistent asthma (treated with daily inhaled medication).MethodsA 1-month mixed method multicenter observational study was conducted in 26 secondary care centers from Portugal and Spain. During an initial face-to-face visit, physicians reported patients’ asthma therapeutic plan in a structured questionnaire. During the visits, patients were invited to use the app daily to register their asthma medication intakes. A scheduled intake was considered taken when patients registered the intake (inhaler, blister, or other drug formulation) by using the image-based medication detection tool. At 1 month, patients were interviewed by phone, and app satisfaction was assessed on a 1 (low) to 5 (high) scale. Patients were also asked to point out the most and least preferred app features and make suggestions for future app improvements.ResultsA total of 107 patients (median 27 [P25-P75 14-40] years) were invited, 92.5% (99/107) installed the app, and 73.8% (79/107) completed the 1-month interview. Patients interacted with the app a median of 9 (P25-P75 1-24) days. At least one medication was registered in the app by 78% (77/99) of patients. A total of 53% (52/99) of participants registered all prescribed inhalers, and 34% (34/99) registered the complete asthma therapeutic plan. Median medication adherence was 75% (P25-P75 25%-90%) for inhalers and 82% (P25-P75 50%-94%) for other drug formulations. Patients were globally satisfied with the app, with 75% (59/79) scoring ≥4,; adherence monitoring, symptom monitoring, and gamification features being the most highly scored components; and the medication detection tool among the lowest scored. A total of 53% (42/79) of the patients stated that the app had motivated them to improve adherence to inhaled medication and 77% (61/79) would recommend the app to other patients. Patient feedback was reflected in 4 major themes: medication-related features (67/79, 85%), gamification and social network (33/79, 42%), symptom monitoring and physician communication (21/79, 27%), and other aspects (16/79, 20%).ConclusionsThe InspirerMundi app was feasible and acceptable to monitor medication adherence in patients with asthma. Based on patient feedback and to increase the registering of medications, the therapeutic plan registration and medication detection tool were redesigned. Our results highlight the importance of patient participation to produce a patient-centered and engaging mHealth asthma app.

Perceived Stigma and Fear of Unintended Disclosure are Barriers in Medication Adherence in Adolescents with Perinatal HIV in Botswana: A Qualitative Study.

Background Maintaining optimal adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is a challenge for adolescents with perinatally HIV (ALPHIV), and there is little consensus on what factors contribute to adherence in this population. This study assessed self-reported medication adherence among ALPHIV and explored structural factors that hinder or motivate them to adhere. Methods This qualitative study used in-depth interviews with ALPHIV at the infectious disease control centre of a teaching hospital in Botswana. Thirty adolescents aged 12–19 years who were aware of their HIV status were recruited purposively. Transcribed interviews were analysed using the thematic approach and NVivo data analysis software. Findings Nonadherence was a problem across age groups and gender. Perceived stigma was a major barrier to ART adherence. The fear of stigma and unintended disclosure were more pronounced in those attending boarding school. The adolescents were not willing to take medication in front of roommates and outside of the home. They opted for hiding and taking medication in privacy which led to missed doses. The heightened fear of being seen collecting ART medication affected keeping appointments for clinic visits. Fear of stigma also influenced the choice of action when there was a clash between school activities, dosing times, and scheduled clinic appointments for ART refill. The home environment was the main facilitator for adherence. Support was the strongest motivator for adolescents to adhere and keep up with clinic visits. On a personal level, the desire to be healthy and live long was a major motivator to adhere. Conclusions The fear of stigma shaped the adolescents' adherence behaviour. Perceived stigma affected the time and place to take medication, the visit to the clinic for ART refill, and self-disclosure of HIV status. There is need to encourage adolescents to self-disclose their HIV status to friends since the fear of unintended disclosure fuelled perceived stigma. Planning of clinic appointments should also be consistent with realistic daily activities of adolescents.

Effect of a mHealth intervention on adherence in adolescents with asthma: A randomized controlled trial.

Adherence rates among asthma patients are generally low and decrease during adolescence, resulting in poorly controlled asthma. The aim of our study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the ADolescent Adherence Patient Tool (ADAPT), an interactive mobile health (mHealth) intervention, in supporting self-management and improving inhaled corticosteroid adherence in adolescents with asthma. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in 66 Dutch community pharmacies. Asthma patients aged 12-18 years were invited to participate, based on pharmacy medication refill records. The main study outcome was self-reported medication adherence, measured with the Medication Adherence Report Scale (MARS). Secondary outcomes were asthma control and quality of life. Outcomes were measured at start (t = 0 months) and at the end of follow-up (t = 6 months). Mixed-effects models were used to analyze the effect. In total, 234 adolescents (147 in the control group and 87 in the intervention group) completed the study; mean age 15.1±1.9 years and 52.6% females. Adherence rates of patients with low baseline adherence (MARS scores ≤19; n=76) increased with 1.42 points in the intervention group (n=26). Adherence rates of patients in the control group (n=50) decreased with 0.70 points. Thus there was a positive effect of the intervention on medication adherence (MARS +2.12, p=0.04). This effect was stronger (MARS +2.52, p=0.02) in poor adherent adolescents with uncontrolled asthma (n=74). No effect of the intervention was observed on asthma control or quality of life. The ADAPT intervention increases medication adherence in adolescents with asthma having poor adherence rates at baseline. Healthcare providers should consider a tailored mHealth approach to improve the asthma treatment.

Pediatric Outcomes in Transplant: PersOnaliSing Immunosuppression To ImproVe Efficacy (POSITIVE Study): The Collaboration and Design of a National Transplant Precision Medicine Program.

BackgroundDespite age-related differences in biology, physiology, and behavior, transplant immunosuppression is not tailored by age. This likely contributes to high graft failure and posttransplant complications. We present the aims, design, and methods of the Pediatric Outcomes in Transplant: PersOnaliSing Immunosuppression To ImproVe Efficacy Study aimed at personalizing posttransplant immunosuppression in children and young adults.MethodsIn this prospective observational cohort study, we recruited pediatric and young adult solid organ transplant, pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, and matched living and deceased organ donors from 14 transplant centers across Canada. Clinical data, questionnaires, biospecimens, and pharmacy records were collected at serial time points: (1) to identify genetic and host immune factors that influence immunosuppression dose requirements across different ages and transplant types, (2) to identify viral-host interactions that increase susceptibility to Epstein-Barr virus infection, and (3) to define care processes and structures associated with medication adherence in adolescents and young adults.ResultsFrom 2015 to 2018, 1662 new and prevalent transplant recipients were screened, 1166 were recruited for the various aims, including 370 liver, 445 kidney, 277 heart, 19 lung, 19 multiple, and 36 hematopoietic stem cell transplant transplants. Twelve percent were younger than 2 years, 30% were 2 to 10 years, 42% were 10 to 18 years, and 16% were 18 to 24 years at enrollment. Nine hundred thirty-one consented to participation in aims 1 and 2 (90% consent rate), 287 to aim 3 (82% consent rate). Biospecimens collected included 898 for DNA, 276 for immunoassays, and 717 for biomarker studies. Seventy percent participants have completed follow-up; 30% are pending study completion.ConclusionsThe design of this national multicenter cross-organ network helped maximize recruitment of a large patient cohort for studying age and organ-related differences in immunosuppression needs that would not otherwise be feasible. Leveraging the unique clinical, biological, environmental, and behavioral characteristics of this cohort will help develop precision medicine strategies for individualizing posttransplant immunosuppression.

Patient Health Beliefs and Characteristics Predict Longitudinal Antihypertensive Medication Adherence in Adolescents With CKD.

To investigate longitudinal associations of health beliefs, which included self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and perceived barriers, and demographic risk factors (i.e., age, gender, race, and family income) with antihypertensive medication adherence in adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD) over 24 months. The sample included 114 adolescents (M age = 15.03 years, SD = 2.44) diagnosed with CKD. Adolescents reported their self-efficacy for taking medications, medication outcome expectancies, and barriers to adherence at baseline and 12 and 24 months after baseline. Antihypertensive medication adherence was assessed via electronic monitoring for 2 weeks at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after baseline. Adherence increased and then decreased over the 2-year study period (inverted U-shape). Self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, and barriers did not change over time. Older adolescent age, female gender, African American race, <$50,000 annual family income, and public health insurance were associated with lower adherence. However, family income was the primary demographic risk factor that predicted adherence over time (≥$50,000 annual family income was longitudinally associated with higher adherence). Higher self-efficacy and more positive and less negative outcome expectancies across time were also associated with higher antihypertensive medication adherence across time. Clinical interventions should be developed to target medication self-efficacy and outcome expectancies to improve long-term antihypertensive medication adherence in adolescents with CKD. Family income may be considered when conceptualizing contextual factors that likely contribute to adolescents' consistent challenges with medication adherence over time.

"When I Stop My Medication, Everything Goes Wrong": Content Analysis of Interviews with Adolescent Patients Treated with Psychotropic Medication.

Medication nonadherence constitutes a major problem in adolescent psychiatry. Previous studies have identified various factors associated with nonadherent behavior. The aim of this study is to explore adolescents' health beliefs and subjective perceptions relating to psychotropic medication, and to statistically link these to reported medication adherence. The findings presented in this study are part of the multicenter SEMA study (Subjective Experience and Medication Adherence in Adolescents with Psychiatric Disorders). Patients 12-18 years of age were included, who had been treated with a psychotropic medication for at least 2 weeks. The validated MARS (Medication Adherence Rating Scale) and the QATT (Questionnaire on Attitudes Toward Treatment) were used to measure adherence, and a qualitative semi-structured interview was conducted to examine patients' subjective experiences and perceptions. A conventional content analysis was conducted, and Fisher's exact tests were performed to analyze group differences between completely adherent and not completely adherent patients. A total of 64 patients were included in the study. 40.6% (n = 26) were classified as not completely adherent. Distribution patterns of answers to 7 out of 64 questions showed statistically significant group differences between completely and not completely adherent patients. Patients with lower adherence reported the following: feeling worse after taking medication; a lower sense of self-efficacy concerning the improvement of their symptoms; a less trustful physician-patient relationship; a worsened attitude toward medication after experiencing adverse events/"side effects"; less support from their relatives; and fewer individuals in their family who were fully informed about their condition. To our knowledge, this is the first interview-based study to investigate subjective experiences and health beliefs of adolescents with psychiatric disorders and to correlate these findings with rates of medication adherence. The study results will be useful for the development of tools and approaches to increase medication adherence, for example, psychoeducation programs and personalized treatment concepts.

Improvement of medication adherence in adolescents and young adults with SLE using web-based education with and without a social media intervention, a pilot study

BackgroundSelf-management skills, including medication management, are vital to the health of adolescents and young adults with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and preliminary effects of an online educational program in a cohort of adolescent and young adults with SLE with and without a social media (SM) experience.MethodsAdolescents and young adults with SLE participated weekly for 8 sessions on a web-based educational program about SLE created specifically for this project. Subjects were randomized to respond to questions at the end of each weekly module in a journal or on a SM forum with other SLE subjects. Patients were surveyed prior to initiating the study, (T0) and 6 weeks after completion of the sessions (T1). Medication adherence for hydroxychloroquine, utilizing the medication possession ratio (MPR), was compared for the 3 months preceding T0 and for the 3 months following T1.ResultsTwenty-seven of the 37 subjects (73%) enrolled completed the study, including the two required sets of surveys. Reasons for being lost to follow up included being too busy, forgetting, and/or not seeing email reminders. Medication adherence improved in all subjects (p < 0.001). The percentage of the SM intervention group that was adherent (MPR ≥ 80%) significantly improved from 50% to 92% (p = 0.03), while the control group did not. Secondary outcome measures that improved, only in the SM group, included self-efficacy, sense of agency (SOA), sense of community (SOC), and empowerment. There was a strong correlation between empowerment with SOA and SOC and in turn a strong correlation with SOA and SOC with MPR, providing a possible explanation for why social media participation helped to improve medication adherence. Subjective reporting of medication adherence was not reliably correlated to MPR.ConclusionsThis pilot study has demonstrated feasibility for the use of an online educational SLE website, recruitment, and measurement of chosen outcome measures. This study provides evidence for a larger multi-site trial which has the potential to address an important service gap by delivering self-management education and peer interactions in a format that is accessible, and engaging to young people with SLE.Trial registrationTrial registration: NCT03218033. Retrospectively registered 14 July 2017.

Medication Adherence and Technology-Based Interventions for Adolescents With Chronic Health Conditions: A Few Key Considerations.

The number of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions (CHCs) has doubled over the past two decades. Medication adherence is a key component of disease management within these groups. Low adherence to prescribed medications is a known problem in adolescents with CHCs and is related to health outcomes, including quality of life, disease complications, and mortality. Adolescence is a critical time to create routines and health behaviors that optimize disease self-management and transition to adult care. The mounting interest in the development and use of mobile health tools provides novel opportunities to connect patients, particularly adolescents, with their providers outside of the clinic and to improve health outcomes. There is growing evidence to support the efficacy of technology-based approaches, in particular text-messaging and mobile apps, to improve adherence behavior in adolescents, although cost-effectiveness and long-term health benefits remain unclear. In this short viewpoint article, we review some important considerations for promoting medication adherence in adolescents with CHCs using technology-based approaches.

MHealth intervention to support asthma self-management in adolescents: the ADAPT study.

PurposePoor medication adherence in adolescents with asthma results in poorly controlled disease and increased morbidity. The aim of the ADolescent Adherence Patient Tool (ADAPT) study is to develop an mHealth intervention to support self-management and to evaluate the effectiveness in improving medication adherence and asthma control.InterventionThe ADAPT intervention consists of an interactive smartphone application (app) connected to a desktop application for health care providers, in this study, the community pharmacist. The app contains several functions to improve adherence as follows: 1) a questionnaire function to rate asthma symptoms and monitor these over time; 2) short movie clips with medication and disease information; 3) a medication reminder; 4) a chat function with peers; and 5) a chat function with the pharmacist. The pharmacist receives data from the patient’s app through the desktop application, which enables the pharmacist to send information and feedback to the patient.Study designThe ADAPT intervention is tested in a community pharmacy-based cluster randomized controlled trial in the Netherlands, aiming to include 352 adolescents with asthma. The main outcome is adherence, measured by patient’s self-report and refill adherence calculated from pharmacy dispensing records. In addition, asthma control, illness perceptions, medication beliefs, and asthma-related quality of life are measured.ConclusionThis study will provide in-depth knowledge on the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention to support asthma self-management in adolescents. These insights will also be useful for adolescents with other chronic diseases.

Comprehensive Structured Transition Program With Dedicated Transition Navigator Reduced Lost to Follow-Up and Improved Medication Adherence in Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia

Comprehensive Structured Transition Program With Dedicated Transition Navigator Reduced Lost to Follow-Up and Improved Medication Adherence in Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia

Economic Evaluation of Text-Messaging and Smartphone-Based Interventions to Improve Medication Adherence in Adolescents with Chronic Health Conditions: A Systematic Review.

BackgroundThe rate of chronic health conditions (CHCs) in children and adolescents has doubled in the past 20 years, with increased health care costs. Technology-based interventions have demonstrated efficacy to improving medication adherence. However, data to support the cost effectiveness of these interventions are lacking.ObjectiveThe objective of this study is to conduct an economic evaluation of text-messaging and smartphone-based interventions that focus on improving medication adherence in adolescents with CHCs.MethodsSearches included PubMed MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Inspec. Eligibility criteria included age (12-24 years old), original articles, outcomes for medication adherence, and economic outcomes.ResultsOur search identified 1118 unique articles that were independently screened. A total of 156 articles met inclusion criteria and were then examined independently with full-text review. A total of 15 articles met most criteria but lacked economic outcomes such as cost effectiveness or cost-utility data. No articles met all predefined criteria to be included for final review. Only 4 articles (text messaging [n=3], electronic directly observed therapy [n=1]) described interventions with possible future cost-saving but no formal economic evaluation.ConclusionsThe evidence to support the cost effectiveness of text-messaging and smartphone-based interventions in improving medication adherence in adolescents with CHCs is insufficient. This lack of research highlights the need for comprehensive economic evaluation of such interventions to better understand their role in cost-savings while improving medication adherence and health outcomes. Economic evaluation of technology-based interventions can contribute to more evidence-based assessment of the scalability, sustainability, and benefits of broader investment of such technology tools in adolescents with CHCs.

Evaluation of Motivational Interviewing to Improve Psychotropic Medication Adherence in Adolescents.

Medication adherence rates in adolescents are poor. The World Health Organization identified that those at greatest risk were nonwhite adolescents with depression. Medication nonadherence results in poorer mental health outcomes. The first aim of the study was to investigate if two motivational interviewing (MI) sessions would improve medication adherence in adolescents taking antidepressants and mood stabilizers. The second aim was to evaluate if attitudes toward medication correlated with adherence. The third aim was to determine if self-reported adherence scores were similar to electronic adherence data collected. The quasi-experimental study contained an MI intervention, including a baseline and postintervention assessment of adherence over 30 days. A total of 48 adolescents, ranging in age from 12 to 18 years, were recruited from a university mental health center to participate in the study; 41 completed the study. Four nurse practitioners and two child psychiatrists mastered the MI techniques evaluated with standardized measures. The Medication Electronic Monitoring System (MEMS) was the primary measure of medication adherence. The Drug Attitude Inventory (DAI) was used as a secondary measure. Finally, participants completed the client evaluation of MI and a satisfaction survey of MI. At endpoint, 70.7% of the participants were taking their medications between 80% and 100% of the time, as measured over 30 days, compared with 43.9% of participants at baseline. Mean adherence scores significantly improved by 17% after two MI sessions. Mean baseline adherence scores were 63.7%, whereas mean endpoint adherence scores were 80.6% (p < 0.0001). The effect size was 0.65, demonstrating moderate effect. Participants (n = 29) who demonstrated 80% or greater adherence had DAI mean scores of 16.48, whereas those below 80% had a DAI mean of 15.5 (p = 0.73), demonstrating no significant difference on drug attitudes between the two groups at endpoint. DAI baseline mean scores were 14.2, whereas endpoint mean scores were 16.2. There was a significant difference between self-rated adherence and objective data collected from the MEMS caps as participants over-reported medication adherence by an average of 18.4% at baseline (t = 6.84, df = 40, p < 0.001). Participants reported a high degree of satisfaction with MI. MI is a promising intervention for adolescents to improve psychotropic medication adherence.

Episodic medication adherence in adolescents and young adults with perinatally acquired HIV: a within-participants approach

ABSTRACTDue to the success of antiretroviral (ART) medications, young people living with perinatally acquired HIV (PHIV+) are now surviving into adolescence and young adulthood. Understanding factors influencing ART non-adherence in this group is important in developing effective adherence interventions. Most studies of ART adherence in HIV-positive populations assess differences in adherence levels and adherence predictors between participants, over a period of time (global adherence). Many individuals living with HIV, however, including PHIV+ young people, take medication inconsistently. To investigate this pattern of adherence, a within-participants design, focussing on specific episodes of adherence and non-adherence, is suitable (episodic adherence). A within-participants design was used with 29 PHIV+ young people (17 female, median age 17 years, range 14–22 years), enrolled in the UK Adolescents and Adults Living with Perinatal HIV cohort study. Participants were eligible if they could identify one dose of medication taken and one dose they had missed in the previous two months. For each of the two episodes (one adherent, one non-adherent), behavioural factors (whom they were with, location, routine, day, reminders) and psychological factors at the time of the episode (information about medication, adherence motivation, perceived behavioural skills to adhere to medication – derived from the Information-Motivation-Behavioural Skills (IMB) Model – and affect) were assessed in a questionnaire. Non-adherence was significantly associated with weekend days (Friday to Sunday versus Monday to Thursday, p = .001), lack of routine (p = .004), and being out of the home (p = .003), but not with whom the young person was with or whether they were reminded to take medication. Non-adherence was associated with lower levels of behavioural skills (p < .001), and lower positive affect (p = .005). Non-adherence was not significantly associated with negative affect, information about ART, or ART motivation. The use of situationally specific strategies to enhance adherence in young people who take their medication inconsistently is proposed.

Technology Access and Smartphone App Preferences for Medication Adherence in Adolescents and Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease.

Hydroxyurea is the only Food and Drug Administration approved medication for sickle cell disease (SCD) with short- and long-term benefits for both morbidity and mortality. However, hydroxyurea underutilization and adherence remain challenges for patients with SCD. The objectives of this study were to determine access to technology among adolescents and young adults (AYA) with SCD and to identify their preferred technology-based strategies for improving medication adherence. A cross-sectional survey was administered in a variety of clinical settings from October 2014 through May 2015 to AYA (12-22 years) with SCD (all genotypes) followed in a Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program. Eighty of 107 eligible participants completed the survey for a 75% response rate. Participants (51% female, 94% Black) had a mean age of 15.3 ± 2.8 years. Most participants (75%) were on a daily medication with about half on hydroxyurea. Forgetfulness (67%) was the most common barrier to medication adherence. The majority of participants (85%) owned smartphones and either owned or had access to electronic tablets (83%), laptops (72%), or desktops (70%). Of the proposed smartphone app features, daily medication reminders were ranked first most frequently, followed by education about SCD, adherence text prompts, education about SCD medications, and medication log. The majority of our AYA with SCD owned smartphones and had access to other electronic devices. Our survey results provided valuable insight into the preferred app features and optimal strategies for developing technology-based interventions, such as a multicomponent app, to increase medication adherence for AYA with SCD or other chronic conditions.

The feasibility of text reminders to improve medication adherence in adolescents with asthma.

Personal health applications have the potential to help patients with chronic disease by improving medication adherence, self-efficacy, and quality of life. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of MyMediHealth (MMH) - a website and a short messaging service (SMS)-based reminder system - on medication adherence and perceived self-efficacy in adolescents with asthma. We conducted a block-randomized controlled study in academic pediatric outpatient settings. There were 98 adolescents enrolled. Subjects who were randomized to use MMH were asked to create a medication schedule and receive SMS reminders at designated medication administration times for 3 weeks. Control subjects received action lists as a part of their usual care. Primary outcome measures included MMH usage patterns and self-reports of system usability, medication adherence, asthma control, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Eighty-nine subjects completed the study, of whom 46 were randomized to the intervention arm. Compared to controls, we found improvements in self-reported medication adherence (P = .011), quality of life (P = .037), and self-efficacy (P = .016). Subjects reported high satisfaction with MMH; however, the level of system usage varied widely, with lower use among African American patients. MMH was associated with improved medication adherence, perceived quality of life, and self-efficacy.Trial Registration This project was registered under http://clinicaltrials.gov/ identifier NCT01730235.