Motivation For Adherence Research Articles

Theoretical Approaches to Enhancing Motivation for Adherence to Antidepressant Medications

Problem: Adherence to antidepressants is a major challenge in our health care system, with a high percentage of patients discontinuing their medications within six months. Aims: The purpose of this position paper is to discuss theoretical frameworks that address the psychological beliefs, benefits and barriers and feelings of autonomy that affect a person's willingness and motivation to take anti-depressant medications within a therapeutic relationship with a nurse practitioner. Methods: Three theoretical frameworks were selected to highlight particular perspectives relevant to enhancing patient motivation for medication adherence. The Self-Regulation Model, Health Belief Model, and Self-Determination Theory combined with motivational interviewing all offer guidance on strategies for improving adherence to antidepressants. Conclusions: The Self-Regulation Model underscores the importance of illness representations that prompt considering patient perceptions of depression that affect adherence. The Health Belief Model focuses on cost–benefit considerations that affect patient's adherence, along with perceived control. Finally, Self-Determination Theory combined with motivational interviewing offers strategies that enhance autonomy and optimize collaboration and motivation for adherence. Relevance for clinical practice: These three theoretical models are applied to a vignette for a patient who is having difficulty with adherence to antidepressant medication.

Motivation for Gluten-Free Diet Adherence among Adults with and without a Clinically Diagnosed Gluten-Related Illness

Background and Purpose: Historically used as the sole treatment for celiac disease, there has been a substantial rise in popularity of the gluten-free diet (GFD) as both a diet plan and alternative form of medicine in the United States (US). Approximately 1% of the US population suffers from celiac disease, but various reports show 30% to 80% of adults have an interest in, or are currently adhering to, a GFD. This study aimed to understand this disproportion by exploring GFD adherence motivations, in addition to medical diagnoses, within a population of gluten-free followers. Methods. An anonymous, internetbased survey was administered to assess GFD motivations and adherence within the general population (n=99). Results. Of those currently following or who had previously followed a GFD, medical diagnosis was reported by only 28.6% as motivation for GFD adherence, with 60.7% reporting general health motivations, 25.0% reporting weight loss motivations, and 21.4% reporting curiosity. Conclusion. This study supports previous research suggesting that adherence to a GFD may occur for reasons outside of a medical diagnosis. Public health educators should inform individuals about risks and misconceptions associated with GFDs when implementing healthy eating programs for adults without medically diagnosed digestive conditions.

Effects of Depression Alleviation on ART Adherence and HIV Clinic Attendance in Uganda, and the Mediating Roles of Self-Efficacy and Motivation.

With depression known to impede HIV care adherence and retention, we examined whether depression alleviation improves these disease management behaviors. A sample of 1028 depressed HIV clients in Uganda enrolled in a cluster randomized controlled trial of two depression care models, and were surveyed over 12months. Serial regression analyses examined whether depression alleviation was associated with self-reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and clinic attendance at month 12, and whether these relationships were mediated by self-efficacy and motivation. Among those with major depression, depression alleviation was associated with better ART adherence and clinic attendance at month 12; these relationships were fully mediated by self-efficacy at month 12, while adherence motivation partially mediated the relationship between depression alleviation and ART adherence. When both mediators were entered simultaneously, only self-efficacy was a significant predictor and still fully mediated the relationship between depression alleviation and adherence. These findings suggest that depression alleviation benefits both ART adherence and clinic attendance, in large part through improved confidence and motivation to engage in these disease management behaviors.

Non-adherence to inhaled corticosteroids and the risk of asthma exacerbations in children.

BackgroundNon-adherence to inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) is a major risk factor for poor asthma control in children. However, little is known about the effect of adherence to ICS on the incidence of asthma exacerbations. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of poor adherence to ICS on the risk of exacerbations in children with asthma.MethodsIn this nested case–control study using data from the Dutch PHARMO Record Linkage System, children aged 5–12 years who had an asthma exacerbation needing oral corticosteroids or hospital admission were matched to patients without exacerbations. Refill adherence was calculated as medication possession ratio from ICS-dispensing records. Data were analyzed using a multivariable multiplicative intensity regression model.ResultsA total of 646 children were included, of whom 36 had one or more asthma exacerbations. The medication possession ratio was 67.9% (standard deviation [SD] 30.2%) in children with an exacerbation versus 54.2% (SD 35.6%) in the control group. In children using long-acting beta-agonist, good adherence to ICS was associated with a higher risk of asthma exacerbations: relative risk 4.34 (95% confidence interval: 1.20–15.64).ConclusionIn children with persistent asthma needing long-acting beta-agonist, good adherence to ICS was associated with an increased risk of asthma exacerbations. Possible explanations include better motivation for adherence to ICS in children with more severe asthma, and reduced susceptibility to the consequences of non-adherence to ICS due to overprescription of ICS to children who are in clinical remission. Further study into the background of the complex interaction between asthma and medication adherence is needed.

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.

IMPACT OF SEASONAL FACTORS ON FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT INTERRUPTIONS IN TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS

It has been hypothesized and investigated that seasonal factors provide impact on the treatment interruptions. Treatment outcomes of 19 923 new pulmonary tuberculosis cases with the positive result of sputum tests have been studied. Patients registered for treatment during the cold seasons (Quarters I, IV) interrupt treatment, including interruption of the intensive phase, rarer compared to the warm seasons (Quarters II, III). The least relative risk of treatment interruption is observed in the patients registered during Quarter IV compared to the other Quarters. Also chemotherapy was interrupted more often and patients migrated less when registered in Quarter III compared to the patients registered in Quarter II. The observed consistent pattern should be taken into account when planning measures aimed to increase patients' motivation for treatment adherence.

Decision support systems in clinical practice: The case of venous thromboembolism prevention.

Decision support systems in clinical practice: The case of venous thromboembolism prevention.

Psychosocial Characteristics Associated with Both Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence and Risk Behaviors in Women Living with HIV.

The purpose of this study was to identify key psychosocial characteristics of HIV-infected women who exhibit different levels of both ART adherence and risk behaviors. We analyzed baseline data from 193 predominately African American HIV-infected women participating in a behavioral clinical trial. Women were categorized into high/low groups based on levels of adherence and risky behaviors. There was a significant interaction effect for internal motivation for adherence. Women at high risk for poor health and transmitting HIV (low adherence/high risk group) had the lowest levels of internal motivation and also reported more difficult life circumstances. Gender roles, caretaking and reliance on men for economic and other support may promote external versus internal motivation as well as riskier behaviors in this group. The highest levels of internal motivation were found in those with High Adherence/High Risk behaviors. This group was highly knowledgeable about HIV and had the lowest VL. Compared to others, this group seems to tolerate risky behaviors given their high level of adherence. Adherence and risk reduction behaviors are key to individual and public health. Motivation and risk compensation should be addressed when providing interventions to women living with HIV.

Use of Self-Regulation Principles to Improve Adolescent Treatment Adherence to the Medical Regimen for Diabetes

A substantial percentage of youngsters with diabetes have treatment adherence problems that inevitably reduce treatment efficacy. Effective adherence to a diabetes treatment regimen requires adolescents’ motivation to manage goal pursuit in the face of personal and situational obstacles. However, interventions are usually associated only with health promotion and not with the motivational structure typical of adolescents, their perceived purpose in life and their meaningful personal goals. Using principles for the motivation and self-regulation of goals adapted from the fields of social and personality psychology, we suggest a motivation-based conceptual framework to address the problem of treatment adherence. We argue that the failure to adhere to treatment is partially the result of the conflict between adolescents’ health-related goals and their personal goals. We suggest that adolescents’ motivation for treatment adherence can be increased and reinforced by forging an association between their personal life goals and their health-related goals. We present a two-phase model for goal setting and goal striving that aims to improve patient evaluation and ability to cope with resource delusion in the face of numerous self-regulatory challenges associated with adherence to the medical treatment regimen for diabetes.

Stroke Risk Perception in Atrial Fibrillation Patients is not Associated with Clinical Stroke Risk

Clinical risk stratification models, such as the CHA2DS2-VASc, are used to assess stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. No study has yet investigated whether and to which extent these patients have a realistic perception of their personal stroke risk. The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe the association between AF patients' stroke risk perception and clinical stroke risk. In an observational cross-sectional study design, we surveyed 178 AF patients with a mean age of 70.6 years (SD 8.3) in stable anticoagulant treatment (65% treatment duration >12 months). Clinical stroke risk was scored through the CHA2DS2-VASc, and patients rated their perceived personal stroke risk on a 7-point Likert scale. There was no significant association between clinical stroke risk assessment and patients' stroke risk perception (rho = .025; P = .741). Approximately 60% of the high-risk patients had an unrealistic perception of their own stroke risk, and there was no significant increase in risk perception from those with a lower compared with a higher risk factor load (χ(2) = .010; P = .522). Considering possible negative implications in terms of lack of motivation for lifestyle behavior change and adequate adherence to the treatment and monitoring of vitamin K antagonist, the apparent underestimation of risk by large subgroups warrants attention and needs further investigation with regard to possible behavioral consequences.

Improving medication adherence in stroke patients through Short Text Messages (SMS4Stroke)-study protocol for a randomized, controlled trial.

BackgroundStroke is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in low and middle income countries. Medical management is the mainstay of therapy to prevent recurrence of stroke. Current estimates are that only 1 in 6 patients have perfect adherence to medication schedules. Using SMS (Short Messaging Service) as reminders to take medicines have been used previously for diseases such as diabetes and HIV with moderate success. We aim to explore the effectiveness and acceptability of SMS in increasing adherence to medications in patients with stroke.MethodsThis will be a randomized, controlled, assessor blinded single center superiority trial. Adult participants with access to a cell phone and a history of stroke longer than 1 month on multiple risk modifying medications will be selected from Neurology and Stroke Clinic. They will be randomized into two parallel groups in a 1:1 ratio via block technique with one group receiving the standard of care as per institutional guidelines while the parallel group receiving SMS reminders for each dose of medicine in addition to the standard of care. In addition intervention group will receive messages for lifestyle changes, medication information, risk factors and motivation for medication adherence. These will bemodeled on Social Cognitive Theory and Health Belief Model and will be categorized by Michies Taxonomy of Behavioral Change Communication. Patient compliance to medicines will be measured at baseline and then after 2 months in each group by using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. The change in compliance to medication regimen after the intervention and the difference between the two groups will be used to determine the effectiveness of SMS reminders as a tool to increase medication compliance. The acceptability of the SMS will be determined by a tool designed for this study whose attributes are based Rogers Diffusion of innovation theory.A sample size of 86 participants in each arm will be sufficient to detect a difference of 1 point on the MMAS with a power of 90 % and significance level of 5 % between the two groups; using an attrition rate of 15 %, 200 participants in all will be randomized.DiscussionThe SMS for Stroke Study will provide evidence for feasibility and effectiveness of SMS in improving post stroke medication adherence in an LMIC setting.Trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01986023 11 /11/2013Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12883-015-0413-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Manuscript title: Facilitators and barriers to cotrimoxazole prophylaxis among HIV exposed babies: a qualitative study from Harare, Zimbabwe.

BackgroundImplementation of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (CTX-p) among HIV-exposed infants (HEI) is poor in southern Africa. We conducted a study to investigate barriers to delivery of CTX-p to HEI in Zimbabwe at each step of the care cascade. Here we report findings of the qualitative component designed to investigate issues related to adherence conducted among women identified as HIV positive whose babies were started on CTX-p postnatally. Of note, Zimbabwe also provided nevirapine prophylaxis for HIV exposed babies, so the majority were giving nevirapine and CTX-p to their babies.MethodsBetween Feb–Dec 2011, the first 20 HIV infected mothers identified were invited for in-depth interview 4–5months postnatally. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, translated and analysed thematically.ResultsAll women desired their baby’s health above all else, and were determined to do all they could to ensure their wellbeing. They did not report problems remembering to give drugs. The baby’s apparent good health was a huge motivator for continued adherence. However, most women reported that their husbands were less engaged in HIV care, refusing to be HIV tested and in some cases stealing drugs prescribed for their wives for themselves. In two instances the man stopped the woman from giving CTX-p to the baby either because of fear of side effects or not appreciating its importance. Stigma continues to be an important issue. Mothers reported being reluctant to disclose their HIV status to other people so found it difficult to collect prescription refills from the HIV clinic for fear of being seen by friends/relatives. Some women reported that it was hard to administer the drugs if there were people around at home. Other challenges faced were stock-outs of CTX-p at the clinic, which occurred three times in 2011. The baby would then go without CTX-p if the woman could not afford buying at a private pharmacy.ConclusionsThe study highlights that adherence knowledge and desire alone is insufficient to overcome the familial and structural barriers to maintaining CTX-p. Improving adherence to CTX-p among HEI will require interventions to improve male involvement, reduce HIV stigma in communities and ensure adequate supply of drugs.

Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation is associated with computer-based auditory training uptake, engagement, and adherence for people with hearing loss.

Hearing aid intervention typically occurs after significant delay, or not at all, resulting in an unmet need for many people with hearing loss. Computer-based auditory training (CBAT) may provide generalized benefits to real-world listening, particularly in adverse listening conditions, and can be conveniently delivered in the home environment. Yet as with any intervention, adherence to CBAT is critical to its success. The main aim of this investigation was to explore motivations for uptake, engagement and adherence with home-delivered CBAT in a randomized controlled trial of adults with mild sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), with a view to informing future CBAT development. A secondary aim examined perceived benefits of CBAT. Participants (n = 44, 50–74 years olds with mild SNHL who did not have hearing aids) completed a 4-week program of phoneme discrimination CBAT at home. Participants' experiences of CBAT were captured using a post-training questionnaire (n = 44) and two focus groups (n = 5 per group). A mixed-methods approach examined participants' experiences with the intervention, the usability and desirability of the CBAT software, and participants' motivations for CBAT uptake, engagement and adherence. Self-Determination Theory (SDT) was used as a theoretical framework for the interpretation of results. Participants found the CBAT intervention easy to use, interesting and enjoyable. Initial participation in the study was associated with extrinsic motivation (e.g., hearing difficulties). Engagement and adherence with CBAT was influenced by intrinsic (e.g., a desire to achieve higher scores), and extrinsic (e.g., to help others with hearing loss) motivations. Perceived post-training benefits included better concentration and attention leading to improved listening. CBAT also prompted further help-seeking behaviors for some individuals. We see this as an important first-step for informing future theory-driven development of effective CBAT interventions.

Delays in Cancer Care Among Low-Income Minorities Despite Access.

Narrowing the racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in breast and cervical cancer requires an in-depth understanding of motivation for adherence to cancer screening and follow-up care. To inform patient-centered interventions, this study aimed to identify reasons why low-income women adhered to or delayed breast or cervical cancer screening, follow-up and treatment despite access to cancer care-related services. Semistructured qualitative interviews were conducted among women with access to cancer care-related services receiving care at an academic cancer center, federally qualified health centers, or free clinics in the Chicago metropolitan area. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for themes related to rationales for adherence. Among 138 participants, most were African American (46%) or Hispanic (36%), English speaking (70%), and between ages 41 and 65 years (64%). Primary drivers of nonadherence included lack of knowledge of resources, denial or fear, competing obligations, and embarrassment. Facilitators included abnormality identification, patient activation, provider-initiated actions, and motivation from family or friends. Interventions targeting increased adherence to care among low-income and ethnic minority women should direct efforts to proactive, culturally and patient-informed education that enables patients to access resources and use the health care system, address misconceptions about cancer, ensure health care providers' communication of screening guidelines, and leverage the patient's social support network.

Continued participation in a ten-year tight control treat-to-target study in rheumatoid arthritis: why keep patients doing their best?

To identify risk factors for early study termination and motivators for adherence to a long-term followup trial and to improve completeness of long-term studies. Risk factors for early termination in 508 included patients were identified through Cox regression analysis. Patients completing the 10-year followup filled in a questionnaire on possible motives for continued study participation. Risk factors for early termination were higher age (hazard ratio [HR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.02-1.04), functional disability during the preceding year (HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.20-1.99), having achieved drug-free remission (HR 6.62, 95% CI 2.07-21.14), limited joint damage (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.995 for actual damage; HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.73-0.94 for damage progression), and few adverse events (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.26-0.47). A total of 288 of 313 patients (92%) attending the last visit answered the questionnaire. The majority mentioned contributing to scientific research (97% agreed), helping other patients (91%), and learning about new treatment strategies (84%) and their disease (85%) as reasons to continue participation. Next, patients mentioned tight control (202 of 278 patients), good treatment strategy (128 of 278), good medication (117 of 278), and good half-term results (102 of 278) as motivators. More than 95% of patients experienced participation "as expected" or "better than expected." Additional examinations during yearly visits (extra questionnaires, imaging) were mentioned as "worse than expected" (10%), as was answering routine questionnaires (7%). Continued participation was relatively high in the Treatment Strategies for Rheumatoid Arthritis (BeSt) Study. Higher age, functional disability, drug-free remission, little joint damage, and few adverse events predicted early study termination. Main motives for continued participation were a willingness to contribute to research, help future patients, and because patients had good experiences with the study protocol.

What matters to patients with heart failure? The influence of non-health-related goals on patient adherence to self-care management

ObjectiveTo describe the life goals of heart failure (HF) patients and to determine whether adherence is influenced by the extent to which these priorities are perceived as compatible with HF self-care regimens. MethodForty HF outpatients identified their top-five life goals and indicated the compatibility of HF self-care regimens (diet, exercise, weighing) with these priorities. HF knowledge, self-efficacy and reported adherence were also assessed. ResultsPatients valued autonomy and social relationships as much as physical health. However, the rated importance of these domains did not predict adherence. Adherence positively correlated with the extent to which the regimen, specifically exercise, was considered compatible with life goals (r=.34, p<.05). Exercise adherence also correlated with illness severity and self-efficacy (rs=−.42 and .36, p<.05, respectively). The perceived compatibility of physical activity with personal goals predicted 11% of the variance in exercise adherence above and beyond that accounted for by illness severity and self-efficacy (FΔ (1, 36)=7.11, p<.05). ConclusionsPatients’ goals outside of the illness management context influence self-care practices. Practice implicationsExploring patients’ broad life goals may increase opportunities to resolve ambivalence and enhance motivation for self-care adherence.

Missing data frequency and correlates in two randomized surgical trials for urinary incontinence in women.

Missing data is frequently observed in clinical trials; high rates of missing data may jeopardize trial outcome validity. We determined the rates of missing data over time, by type of data collected and compared demographic and clinical factors associated with missing data among women who participated in two large randomized clinical trials of surgery for stress urinary incontinence, the Stress Incontinence Surgical Treatment Efficacy Trial (SISTEr) and the Trial of Midurethral Sling (TOMUS). The proportions of subjects who attended and missed each follow-up visit were calculated. The chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and t test were used to compare women with and without missing data, as well as the completeness of the data for each component of the composite primary outcome. Data completeness for the primary outcome computation in the TOMUS trial (62.3%) was nearly double that in the SISTEr trial (35.7%). The follow-up visit attendance rate decreased over time. A higher proportion of subjects attended all follow-up visits in the TOMUS trial and overall there were fewer missing data for the period that included the primary outcome assessment at 12 months. The highest levels of complete data for the composite outcome variables were for the symptoms questionnaire (SISTEr 100 %, TOMUS 99.8%) and the urinary stress test (SISTEr 96.1%, TOMUS 96.7%). In both studies, the pad test was associated with the lowest levels of complete data (SISTEr 85.1%, TOMUS 88.3%) and approximately one in ten subjects had incomplete voiding diaries at the time of primary outcome assessment. Generally, in both studies, a higher proportion of younger subjects had missing data. This analysis lacked a patient perspective as to the reasons for missing data that could have provided additional information on subject burden, motivations for adherence and study design. In addition, we were unable to compare the effects of the different primary outcome assessment time-points in an identically designed trial. Missing visits and data increased with time. Questionnaire data and physical outcome data (urinary stress test) that could be assessed during a visit were least prone to missing data, whereas data for variables that required subject effort while away from the research team (pad test, voiding diary) were more likely to be missing. Older subjects were more likely to provide complete data.

The change in motivating factors influencing commencement, adherence and retention to a supervised resistance training programme in previously sedentary post-menopausal women: a prospective cohort study.

BackgroundUnderstanding motivators for exercise participation in post-menopausal women may impact retention to exercise programmes and inform intervention trial designs. The purpose of this investigation was to assess self-reported motivational factors influencing adherence and retention to a 24-week progressive resistance training programme.MethodsPost-menopausal females (n = 34) were passively recruited to undertake a 24-week progressive resistance training protocol, in small-group sessions, on three non-consecutive days of the week. Attendance was recorded by the researcher. Qualitative reports were sourced from the sample for four phases of the study: pre-study (prior to week 1), recruitment (week 1), during study (weeks 2 – 24), and post-intervention (beyond week 24). Responses were categorised according to ten descriptors: specific health index improvement, education, flexibility of time, social contact, conscience (loyalty to the researcher), wellness, weight management, organisation parameters (pertaining to the study programme) and enjoyment of the exercises.ResultsOf the initial sample, 76.5% (n = 26) met the specified ≥80% attendance criterion. The primary findings were that motivation to volunteer for the study was driven by a perceived need for a structured exercise programme (50% of respondents). A commitment to the researcher was the primary motivator for continued adherence to the study for 50% of participants. Social contact with other participants was cited by 60% of the sample as the primary reason for adherence for the full duration of 24 weeks. A desire to maintain the “wellness” derived from the programme was cited by 60% as a reason for continuing an exercise routine post-study.ConclusionThis study identified that routine and supervision initially attract women to exercise programmes, while social cohesion of the group setting contributes to retention over time. Understanding the changing nature of motivating factors may contribute to better overall adherence and retention to exercise programmes and interventions.

Adherence to antiretroviral treatment by adults in a rural area of Botswana.

Background: As antiretroviral therapy (ART) is becoming increasingly available to people in developing countries, ART adherence challenges assume ever greater significance. Often underlying treatment failure is the fact that suboptimal adherence to ART is the strongest predictor of failure to achieve viral suppression below the level of detection.Objectives: The study's main objective was to identify factors affecting ART adherence levels, as well as the impact on immunologic and virologic responses in adult patients in one rural district in Botswana.Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative survey, was used. Structured interviews were conducted with 300 ART patients between November 2011 and February 2012. Data were analysed, then presented in charts, graphs and frequency tables.Results: The prevalence of non-adherence to ART was 14.0%. Motivators of good adherence included disclosure of HIV-positive status to more than one person, frequent adherence counselling, self-efficacy for adherence to ART, positive interactions between patients and healthcare providers; and using adherence partners. Barriers to adherence were forgetfulness, transportation costs to and from the clinic, time away from work and side-effects. There was a strong positive correlation between adherence, CD4 counts and viral load. Adherence was closely tied to immunologic and virologic improvements. Respondents with poor adherence were likely to have unsuppressed viral loads (OR 12.98, 95% CI 4.9–34).Conclusion: Adherence to ART is closely tied to virologic, immunologic, and clinical outcomes. Increases in adherence levels resulted in significant improvements in these outcomes. Near perfect adherence, however, is required to maximise the likelihood of long-term clinical success, which could pose challenges to many ART patients, especially in resource-limited rural settings.

A qualitative study of patient motivation to adhere to combination antiretroviral therapy in South Africa.

Taken as prescribed, that is, with high adherence, combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) has changed HIV infection and disease from being a sure predictor of death to a manageable chronic illness. Adherence, however, is difficult to achieve and maintain. The CAPRISA 058 study was conducted between 2007 and 2009 to test the efficacy of individualized motivational counselling to enhance ART adherence in South Africa. As part of the overall trial, a qualitative sub-study was conducted, including 30 individual interviews and four focus group discussions with patients in the first 9 months of ART initiation. Data were inductively analyzed, using thematic analysis, to identify themes central to ART adherence in this context. Four themes emerged that characterize the participants' experiences and high motivation to adhere to ART. Participants in this study were highly motivated to adhere, as they acknowledged that ART was 'life-giving', in the face of a large amount of morbidity and mortality. They were further supported by techniques of routine remembering, and highlighted the importance of good social support and access to supportive healthcare workers, to their continued success in negotiating their treatment. Participants in the current study told us that their adherence motivation is enhanced by free accessible care, approachable and supportive healthcare workers, broad social acceptance of ART, and past first-hand experiences with AIDS-related co-morbidity and mortality. Programs that include specific attention to these aspects of care will likely be successful in the long term.