Initiation, adherence, and retention in a randomized controlled trial of directly administered antiretroviral therapy

Duncan Smith Rohrberg Maru, R. Douglas Bruce, Mary Walton, Jo Anne Mezger, Sandra A. Springer, David Shield, Frederick L. Altice

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

Directly administered antiretroviral therapy (DAART) can improve health outcomes among HIV-infected drug users. An understanding of the utilization of DAART-initiation, adherence, and retention-is critical to successful program design. Here, we use the Behavioral Model to assess the enabling, predisposing, and need factors impacting adherence in our randomized, controlled trial of DAART versus self-administered therapy (SAT) among 141 HIV-infected drug users. Of 88 participants randomized to DAART, 74 (84%) initiated treatment, and 51 (69%) of those who initiated were retained in the program throughout the entire six-month period. Mean adherence to directly observed visits was 73%, and the mean overall composite adherence score was 77%. These results were seen despite the finding that 75% of participants indicated that they would prefer to take their own medications. Major causes of DAART discontinuation included hospitalization, incarceration, and entry into drug-treatment programs. The presence of depression and the lack of willingness to travel greater than four blocks to receive DAART predicted time-to-discontinuation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)284-293
Number of pages10
JournalAIDS and Behavior
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
  • Adherence
  • Directly administered antiretroviral therapy
  • Directly observed therapy
  • HIV
  • Substance abuse

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