Psychosocial predictors of medication adherence among persons living with HIV

Background: Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), many have learned to live with HIV as a chronic illness. Adherence to medical regimens is extremely important for HIV patients. Purpose: To examine the extent to which medication adherence among HIV patients is related to social and psychological variables. Method: Data were gathered among 127 HIV patients (aged from 18-65 years) recruited at their quarterly consultation at Metz Hospital (France). Subjects completed a self-report adherence to medication scale, the Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), the Beliefs about Medicine Questionnaire (BMQ), a French Value System Scale, a treatment satisfaction scale, and sociodemographic measures. Results: Analyses revealed significant associations between adherence and patients' beliefs about treatment, satisfaction with treatment, confidence in the physician, some values ("other people, "god and children"), and duration of treatment and illness. Conclusion: The data suggest that patients' beliefs about treatment are formed to a certain degree in the patients' relationship with the physician. Furthermore, adherence seems to be related to personal values.