Peer-led Self-management Interventions and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among People Living with HIV: A Systematic Review

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is essential to reduce morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLWH). However, adherence remains suboptimal, and PLWH may benefit from more self-management support to address the complexities of chronic illness. Our objective was to identify the impact of peer-led self-management interventions on adherence and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) among PLWH. We searched MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for English language publications from 1996 to March 2018, and included controlled intervention studies. Additional articles were handsearched, risk of bias assessed, and narrative syntheses outlined. Thirteen studies met inclusion criteria. Findings demonstrate unclear effectiveness for peer-led self-management interventions improving ART adherence; however evidence was limited with only seven studies measuring this outcome and some risk of bias. Many PROs were measured, with limited consistent findings. Future research is needed to strengthen the evidence regarding effects of peer-led self-management interventions on adherence and PROs among PLWH.