Adherence to antiretroviral therapy for pediatric HIV infection: review of the literature and recommendations for research

mHealth in pediatrics-finding healthcare solutions for the next generation

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have begun to transform the way clinicians deliver healthcare, with goals of greater patient engagement and improved health outcomes. However, the unique needs of pediatric populations are commonly neglected when novel technologies are designed. Constantly changing size and evolving developmental capabilities present a challenge for development of effective mHealth solutions for children. Parents and the greater healthcare community have a greater role in child health, placing demands on new technology to provide connected models of care. This summary provides the landscape of challenges and opportunities presented by the growing population of children who could be optimal candidates for properly tailored mHealth solutions.

Medical nonadherence in pediatric HIV: psychosocial risks and intersection with the child protection system for medical neglect

Nonadherence to antiretroviral treatment has serious health implications for HIV-infected children, at times warranting referral to child protective services (CPS). The current study of 134 children with perinatally acquired HIV infection aimed to investigate rates of treatment adherence and CPS involvement, multilevel variables associated with nonadherence, and the manner in which these risks operated together in the prediction of adherence outcomes. Risk factors for nonadherence were grouped on the basis of confirmatory factor models, and factor score regression was carried out to determine which factors were uniquely predictive of adherence. A series of indirect effects models were then tested in order to examine how these factors operated together in the prediction of adherence. Results showed that almost half of the sample demonstrated suboptimal adherence to treatment, and in one-fifth, CPS was involved for medical neglect. Caregiver Health, Caregiver Involvement, Caregiver Acceptance, and Child Adaptation were predictive of nonadherence, and together explained 54% of the variance in treatment adherence. There were significant indirect effects of Caregiver Health on adherence that operated through Caregiver Involvement and Child Adaptation and an indirect effect of Caregiver Involvement on adherence through Child Adaptation. Findings extend current literature that has independently linked various factors predictive of medical adherence in pediatric HIV by showing separate but simultaneous associations with nonadherence and unique pathways to adherence involving multilevel risks. Healthcare and child welfare implications are discussed.

Treatment Response in Association with Adherence Patterns to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Pediatric Patients with Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection

Background:

Assessment of longitudinal adherence patterns on virologic and immunologic responses to HAART in perinatally acquired HIV patients has not been studied.

Methods:

Perinatally infected pediatric HIV patients with adherence documented at least twice and corresponding viral load and T-cell (%) data measured during 2008-2009 were studied. Multiple adherence measures were utilized to identify patients with persistent adherence, nonadherence, or alteration of adherence. Virologic and immunologic outcomes were assessed.

Results:

Persistent adherence, nonadherence, and alteration of adherence to HAART were recorded in 41.9%, 8.1%, and 50.0% of 62 studied patients. Persistent adherence was associated with higher likelihood for persistent virologic suppression and lower risk for persistent virologic failure.

Conclusion:

Alteration of adherence to HAART is a significant predictor of persistent virologic failure and high viremia in perinatally infected HIV patients. Implementation of longitudinal adherence assessments may target patients with nonsustained adherence patterns and help decrease the risk for virologic failure and disease progression.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and its determinants in children with HIV infection - Experience from Paediatric Centre of Excellence in HIV Care in North India

The objective of this study is to assess adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV-infected children using the pill count method, and determine factors leading to adherence failure. Records of 106 children living with HIV (CLHIV) age <15 years and on ART for >6 months were reviewed. Average adherence to ART by pill count method over preceding six months was calculated and re-assessed by 3-day recall method. The caregivers of 105 children and one child himself were interviewed about the problems encountered while giving ART. Median age of enrolled children was 104 (inter-quartile range [IQR] 77.3-133.8) months. Median duration of ART was 25 (IQR 16-35) months. The desired adherence level of >95% during six months of review assessed by pill count was achieved in 95.3% children. The 3-day recall method yielded >95% adherence in 99% children (p ≤ .001). Caregivers of 59 children (56.2%) reported multiple problems while administering drugs. In most instances, problems encountered were related to family/caregivers, the commonest being multiple caregivers, job constraints and death/illness in the family. In conclusion, we found a very high level of adherence to ART in CLHIV. Poor adherence was mainly associated with issues related to the family/caregivers.

Factors influencing adherence to paediatric antiretroviral therapy in Portharcourt, South- South Nigeria

INTRODUCTION

The efficiency of antiretroviral therapy (ART) depends on a near-perfect level of patient's adherence. Adherence in children poses peculiar challenges. The aim of the study was to determine the adherence level and factors influencing adherence among HIV-infected children and adolescents in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of HIV-infected children and adolescents on ART using self-report by the caregiver/child in the past one month.

RESULTS

A total of 213 caregivers and their children were interviewed. A hundred and sixty-two (76.1%) had adherence rates ≥95%. Only 126 (59.2%) were completely (100%) adherent. The commonest caregiver-related factors for missing doses were forgetfulness 48(55.2%), travelled 22(25.3%) and drugs finished 16(18.4%), while the child-related factors were refused drugs 10(11.5%), slept 8(9.2%), and vomited 8(9.2%). Sixty-eight (31.9%) caregivers reported missing clinic visit and reasons given were travelled 18(26.5%), caregiver ill 12(17.6%) and family problems 9(13.2%). Predictors of poor adherence include mother as the primary caregiver (OR 3.32; 95%CI, 1.33-8.67), younger than 5 years (OR 2.62; 95%CI, 1.30-5.31) and presence of a co-morbidity (OR 3.97; 95%CI, 1.92-8.33). Having a medication reminder strategy (OR 6.34; 95%CI, 3.04-13.31), regular clinic visits (OR 8.55; 95%CI 4.01-18.45) and status disclosure (p = 0.008) predicted a better adherence. The caregiver's age (p= 0.11), education (p = 0.86), socioeconomic status (p = 0.89), gender of the child (p = 0.84), type of ART (p = 0.2) and duration of ART (1.0) did not significantly affect adherence.

CONCLUSION

Adherence is still suboptimal. Since barriers to Paediatric ART adherence are largely caregiver-dependent, identifying and addressing these barriers in each caregiver-child pair will improve adherence and patient outcome.

Relationship between viral load and self-report measures of medication adherence among youth with perinatal HIV infection

Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) contributes to disease progression and emergence of drug-resistant HIV in youth with perinatally acquired HIV infection (PHIV +), necessitating reliable measures of adherence. Although electronic monitoring devices have often been considered the gold-standard assessment in HIV research, they are costly, can overestimate nonadherence and are not practical for routine care. Thus, the development of valid, easily administered self-report adherence measures is crucial for adherence monitoring. PHIV+youth aged 7-16 (n = 289) and their caregivers, enrolled in a multisite cohort study, were interviewed to assess several reported indicators of adherence. HIV-1 RNA viral load (VL) was dichotomized into >/≤ 400 copies/mL. Lower adherence was significantly associated with VL >400 copies/mL across most indicators, including ≥ 1 missed dose in past seven days [youth report: OR = 2.78 (95% CI, 1.46-5.27)]. Caregiver and combined youth/caregiver reports yielded similar results. Within-rater agreement between various adherence indicators was high for both youth and caregivers. Inter-rater agreement on adherence was moderate across most indicators. Age ≥ 13 years and living with biological mother or relative were associated with VL >400 copies/mL. Findings support the validity of caregiver and youth adherence reports and identify youth at risk of poor adherence.

Social ecological predictors of longitudinal HIV treatment adherence in youth with perinatally acquired HIV

OBJECTIVE

To apply a social ecological model to explore the psychosocial factors prospectively associated with longitudinal adherence to antiretroviral treatment in youth perinatally infected with HIV.

METHODS

Randomly selected youth, age 8 to <19 years old, completed cognitive testing and psychosocial questionnaires at baseline as part of a multisite protocol (N = 138). A validated caregiver-report measure of adherence was completed at baseline and 24 and 48 weeks after baseline.

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, youth awareness of HIV status, caregiver not fully responsible for medications, low caregiver well-being, adolescent perceptions of poor caregiver-youth relations, caregiver perceptions of low social support, and African American ethnicity were associated with nonadherence over 48 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Interventions focusing on caregivers and their interactions with the individual youth and extrafamilial system should be prioritized for prevention and treatment efforts to address nonadherence during the transition into adolescents.

A meta-analysis of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and virologic responses in HIV-infected children, adolescents, and young adults

The relationship between adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and virologic outcomes in HIV+ children, adolescents, and young adults has been notably understudied, with much of the extant research focused on specific sub-literatures, such as resource-limited regions, specific clinical outcomes and time frames. The authors sought to better characterize the relationship between adherence to ART and virologic functioning along various sample and methodological factors. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of thirty-seven studies and utilized a random effects model to generate weighted mean effect sizes. In addition, the authors conducted meta-ANOVAs to examine potential factors influencing the relationship between adherence and three categories of clinical outcomes, specifically Viral Load (VL) <100, VL < 400, and continuously measured VL. The analyses included 5,344 HIV+ children, adolescents, and young adults. The relationship between adherence behaviors and virologic outcomes varied across different methods of measurement and analysis. The relationship between adherence and continuously measured VL was significantly larger than for dichotomously-coded VL < 400 at Qb (20.69(1), p < .0005). Caregiver self-report indices elicited very small to small magnitude effects across both VL < 100 and VL < 400 outcomes and combined informant reporting (youth/adolescent and parent) produced significantly larger effects than caregiver report alone with adherence and VL < 400 outcomes at Qb (9.28(1), p < .005). More recently published trials reported smaller relationships between adherence and categorical clinical outcomes, such that year of publication significantly negatively correlated with VL < 100 (r = -.71(14), p < .005) and VL < 400 (r = -.43(26), p < .02). The data suggest that the magnitude of the relationship between ART adherence and virologic outcomes among heterogeneous samples of HIV+ children, adolescents and young adults varies across virologic outcomes and may be affected by moderating sample and methodological factors. Methodological and research recommendations for the interpretation of the current findings as well as for future HIV adherence related research are presented.

Sexual risk behavior among youth with perinatal HIV infection in the United States: predictors and implications for intervention development

BACKGROUND

Factors associated with initiation of sexual activity among perinatally human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected (PHIV(+)) youth, and the attendant potential for sexual transmission of antiretroviral (ARV) drug-resistant HIV, remain poorly understood.

METHODS

We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses of PHIV(+) youth aged 10-18 years (mean, 13.5 years) enrolled in the US-based Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study between 2007 and 2009. Audio computer-assisted self-interviews (ACASI) were used to collect sexual behavior information.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 23%-33%) (92/330) of PHIV(+) youth reported sexual intercourse (SI) (median initiation age, 14 years). Sixty-two percent (57/92) of sexually active youth reported unprotected SI. Among youth who did not report history of SI at baseline, ARV nonadherence was associated with sexual initiation during follow-up (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.87; 95% CI, 1.32-6.25). Youth living with a relative other than their biological mother had higher odds of engaging in unprotected SI than those living with a nonrelative. Thirty-three percent of youth disclosed their HIV status to their first sexual partner. Thirty-nine of 92 (42%) sexually active youth had HIV RNA ≥5000 copies/mL after sexual initiation. Viral drug resistance testing, available for 37 of these 39 youth, identified resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in 62%, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors in 57%, protease inhibitors in 38%, and all 3 ARV classes in 22%.

CONCLUSIONS

As PHIV(+) youth become sexually active, many engage in behaviors that place their partners at risk for HIV infection, including infection with drug-resistant virus. Effective interventions to facilitate youth adherence, safe sex practices, and disclosure are urgently needed.

The long-term effectiveness of generic adult fixed-dose combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-infected Ugandan children

BACKGROUND

Access to pediatric antiretroviral formulations is increasing in resource-limited countries, however adult FDCs are still commonly used by antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs.

OBJECTIVE

To describe long-term effectiveness of using adult FDC of d4T+3TC+NVP (Triomune) in children for HIV treatment.

METHODS

Clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes of HIV-infected ART-naïve children aged six months to 12 years, were evaluated up to 96 weeks post-ART initiation.

RESULTS

From March 2004 to June 2006, 104 children were followed with a median age of 5.4 years, median CD4 cell percent and HIV-1 RNA were 11.0% (IQR 6.7-13.9) and 348,846copies/mL (IQR 160,941-681,313) respectively at baseline. Using Kaplan-Meir estimates, 75% of children had undetectable viral loads (<400copies/mL) at 96 weeks of ART. Children with a baseline CD4 cell percent >15% were 3 times more likely to achieve viral load <400copies/mL than those with baseline CD4 cell percent <5% after adjusting for baseline age {aHR = 3.03 (1.10-8.32), p=0.03}; no difference was found among those with CD4 cell percent >5-14.9% and <5%.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with generic adult FDC for HIV-infected Ugandan children led to sustained clinical, immunologic and virologic response during 96 weeks of ART. Early initiation of ART is key to achieving virological success.

Multisystemic therapy for poorly adherent youth with HIV: results from a pilot randomized controlled trial

Adherence to antiretroviral medication for the treatment of HIV is a significant predictor of virologic suppression and is associated with dramatic reductions in mortality and morbidity and other improved clinical outcomes for pediatric patient populations. Effective strategies for addressing adherence problems in youth infected with HIV are needed and require significant attention to the complex interplay of multiple, interacting causal risk factors that lead to poor self-care. Within the context of a pilot randomized trial, we evaluated the feasibility and initial efficacy of a multisystemic therapy (MST) intervention adapted to address HIV medication adherence problems against a usual care condition that was bolstered with a single session of motivational interviewing (MI). For 34 participating youth, health outcomes (viral load [VL] and CD4 count) were obtained from approximately 10 months pre-baseline through approximately 6 months post-baseline and self-reported medication adherence outcomes were obtained quarterly from baseline through 9 months post-baseline. Using mixed-effects regression models we examined within- and between-groups differences in the slopes of these outcomes. Feasibility was supported, with a 77% recruitment rate and near-maximal treatment and research retention and completion rates. Initial efficacy also was supported, with the MST condition but not the MI condition demonstrating statistically and clinically significant VL reductions following the start of treatment. There was also some support for improved CD4 count and self-reported medication adherence for the MST but not the MI condition. MST was successfully adapted to improve the health outcomes of youth poorly adherent to antiretroviral medications. Replication trials and studies designed to identify the mechanisms of action are important next steps.

Determinants of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV-Infected Patients in Africa

Background. There are only a few comprehensive studies of adherence to ART and its challenges in Africa. This paper aims to assess the evidence on the challenges and prospects of ART adherence in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods. The authors reviewed original and review articles involving HIV-positive individuals that measured adherence to ART and its predictors in the past decade. Findings. Against expectations, sub-Saharan Africa patients have similar or higher adherence levels compared to those of developed countries. The challenges to ART adherence include factors related to patients and their families, socioeconomic factors, medication, and healthcare systems. Conclusion. Despite good adherence and program-related findings, antiretroviral treatment is challenged by a range of hierarchical and interrelated factors. There is substantial room for improvement of ART programs in sub-Sahara African countries.

Pediatric self-management: a framework for research, practice, and policy

Self-management of chronic pediatric conditions is a formidable challenge for patients, families, and clinicians, with research demonstrating a high prevalence of poor self-management and nonadherence across pediatric conditions. Nevertheless, effective self-management is necessary to maximize treatment efficacy and clinical outcomes and to reduce unnecessary health care utilization and costs. However, this complex behavior is poorly understood as a result of insufficient definitions, reliance on condition-specific and/or adult models of self-management, failure to consider the multitude of factors that influence patient self-management behavior, and lack of synthesis of research, clinical practice, and policy implications. To address this need, we present a comprehensive conceptual model of pediatric self-management that articulates the individual, family, community, and health care system level influences that impact self-management behavior through cognitive, emotional, and social processes. This model further describes the relationship among self-management, adherence, and outcomes at both the patient and system level. Implications for research, clinical practice, and health care policy concerning pediatric chronic care are emphasized with a particular focus on modifiable influences, evidence-based targets for intervention, and the role of clinicians in the provision of self-management support. We anticipate that this unified conceptual approach will equip stakeholders in pediatric health care to (1) develop evidence-based interventions to improve self-management, (2) design programs aimed at preventing the development of poor self-management behaviors, and (3) inform health care policy that will ultimately improve the health and psychosocial outcomes of children with chronic conditions.

Interventions to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children with HIV infection

BACKGROUND

Achieving and maintaining high levels of medication adherence are required to achieve the full benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART), yet suboptimal adherence among children is common in both developed and developing countries.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a systematic review of the literature of evaluations of interventions for improving paediatric ART adherence.

SEARCH METHODS

We created a comprehensive search strategy in order to identify all studies relevant to this topic. In July 2010, we searched the following electronic databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CINAHL, LILACS, Web of Science, Web of Social Science, NLM Gateway (supplemented by a manual search of the most recent abstracts not included in the Gateway database). We searched abstracts from the International AIDS Conference from 2002 to 2010, the International AIDS Society Conference on Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention from 2003 to 2009, and from the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections from 1997 to 2010. We used search strategies determined by the Cochrane Review Group on HIV/AIDS. We also contacted researchers who work in this field and checked reference lists of related systematic reviews and of all included studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised and non-randomised controlled trials of interventions to improve adherence to ART among children and adolescents (age ≤18 years) were included. Studies had to report adherence to ART as an outcome.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

After one author performed an initial screening to exclude citations that did not meet the inclusion criteria, two authors did a second screening of those citations that likely met the criteria. For all articles that passed the second screening, full articles were pulled in order to make a final determination. Two authors then extracted data and graded methodological quality independently. Differences were resolved through discussion.

MAIN RESULTS

Four studies met the inclusion criteria. No single intervention was evaluated by more than one trial. Two studies were conducted in low-income countries. Two studies were randomised controlled trials (RCT), and two were non-randomised trials. An RCT of a home-based nursing programme showed a positive effect of the intervention on knowledge and medication refills (p=.002), but no effect on CD4 count and viral load. A second RCT of caregiver medication diaries showed that the intervention group had fewer participants reporting no missed doses compared to the control group (85% vs. 92%, respectively), although this difference was not statistically significant (p=.08). The intervention had no effect on CD4 percentage or viral load. A non-randomised trial of peer support group therapy for adolescents demonstrated no change in self-reported adherence, yet the percentage of participants with suppressed viral load increased from 30% to 80% (p=.06). The second non-randomised trial found that the percentage of children achieving >80% adherence was no different between children on a lopinavir-ritonavir (LPV/r) regimen compared to children on a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase regimen (p=.781). However, the proportion of children achieving virological suppression was significantly greater for children on the LPV/r regimen than for children on the NNRTI-containing regimen (p=.002).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

A home-based nursing intervention has the potential to improve ART adherence, but more evidence is needed. Medication diaries do not appear to have an effect on adherence or disease outcomes. Two interventions, an LPV/r-containing regimen and peer support therapy for adolescents, did not demonstrate improvements in adherence, yet demonstrated greater viral load suppression compared to control groups, suggesting a different mechanism for improved health outcomes. Well-designed evaluations of interventions to improve paediatric adherence to ART are needed.

Knowledge and attitudes of caregivers of HIV-infected children toward antiretroviral treatment in Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE

To determine the knowledge and attitude of caregivers of HIV-infected children taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ethiopia.

METHODS

A total of 390 caregivers of HIV infected children were surveyed in selected ART units in Addis Ababa. Data was collected using a pretested and structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Seventy two (18.5%) of the caregivers believed that HIV can be cured by taking antiretroviral (ARV) medications. Three hundred and nineteen (81.8%) participants reported that taking ARVs incorrectly would bring about resistance to the drug. Three hundred and eighty (97.4%) caregivers had favorable attitude toward administration of ARV medication to children. Almost all of the caregivers (379, 97.2%) reported to have had enough privacy in their consultation with the doctor or nurse. Having enough privacy during consultation (OR 7.18; 95% CI 1.24-41.6) and knowledge that HIV cannot be cured by ART (OR 3.89; 95% CI 1.05-14.4) were associated with favorable attitude toward ART administration.

CONCLUSION

The majority of the caregivers had good knowledge and favorable attitude toward administration of ARV medication to children. However some misconceptions such as beliefs that ART cures HIV/AIDS exist.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS

Health education efforts should continue focusing on the objective of ART treatment and toward dispelling the prevailing misconceptions.

Palatability, adherence and prescribing patterns of antiretroviral drugs for children with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Canada

PURPOSE

To assess the impact of perceived palatability of antiretroviral drugs on adherence to therapy of children infected by human immunodeficiency virus and on prescribing patterns by their caring physicians.

METHODS

DESIGN

Two arms--retrospective chart review and a cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

Tertiary-care pediatric human immunodeficiency virus clinic during a 17-year period.

PARTICIPANTS

Children with human immunodeficiency virus infection and physicians actively caring for children with human immunodeficiency virus infection in seven provinces in Canada were surveyed regarding their perception of the palatability of 8-liquid and 15 non-liquid antiretroviral medications and its effect on drug selection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Effect of taste preferences of antiretroviral drugs on adherence to treatment by infected children and on drug selection by their caring physicians.

RESULTS

Forty of 119 children (34%) refused at least once to an antiretroviral medication. In 5%, treatment was discontinued because of poor palatability. Ritonavir was the least palatable drug (50% of children; p = 0.01). Ritonavir use (OR 4.80 [95%CI 1.34-17.20]) and male gender (OR 7.25 [95%CI 2.30-22.90]) were independent predictors of drug discontinuation because of poor taste. Physicians also perceived liquid ritonavir as the least palatable (p = 0.01) and the most likely to be discontinued (p = 0.01). However, they commonly prescribed it as first-line therapy (p = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

A third of children infected with human immunodeficiency virus fail to adhere to their treatment because of poor drug taste. Physicians are aware of that, but this does not prevent them from selecting the least palatable drugs as first-line therapy.

Building adherence-competent communities: factors promoting children's adherence to anti-retroviral HIV/AIDS treatment in rural Zimbabwe

Given relatively high levels of adherence to HIV treatment in Africa, we explore factors facilitating children's adherence, despite poverty, social disruption and limited health infrastructure. Using interviews with 25 nurses and 40 guardians in Zimbabwe, we develop our conceptualisation of an ‘adherence competent community’, showing how members of five networks (children, guardians, community members, health workers and NGOs) have taken advantage of the gradual public normalisation of HIV/AIDS and improved drug and service availability to construct new norms of solidarity with HIV and AIDS sufferers, recognition of HIV-infected children's social worth, an ethic of care/assistance and a supporting atmosphere of enablement/empowerment.

When masculinity interferes with women's treatment of HIV infection: a qualitative study about adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Zimbabwe

Background

Social constructions of masculinity have been shown to serve as an obstacle to men's access and adherence to antiretroviral therapies (ART). In the light of women's relative lack of power in many aspects of interpersonal relationships with men in many African settings, our objective is to explore how male denial of HIV/AIDS impacts on their female partners' ability to access and adhere to ART.

Methods

We conducted a qualitative case study involving thematic analysis of 37 individual interviews and five focus groups with a total of 53 male and female antiretroviral drug users and 25 healthcare providers in rural eastern Zimbabwe.

Results

Rooted in hegemonic notions of masculinity, men saw HIV/AIDS as a threat to their manhood and dignity and exhibited a profound fear of the disease. In the process of denying and avoiding their association with AIDS, many men undermine their wives' efforts to access and adhere to ART. Many women felt unable to disclose their HIV status to their husbands, forcing them to take their medication in secret, and act without a supportive treatment partner, which is widely accepted to be vitally important for adherence success. Some husbands, when discovering that their wives are on ART, deny them permission to take the drugs, or indeed steal the drugs for their own treatment. Men's avoidance of HIV also leave many HIV-positive women feeling vulnerable to re-infection as their husbands, in an attempt to demonstrate their manhood, are believed to continue engaging in HIV-risky behaviours.

Conclusions

Hegemonic notions of masculinity can interfere with women's adherence to ART. It is important that those concerned with promoting effective treatment services recognise the gender and household dynamics that may prevent some women from successfully adhering to ART, and explore ways to work with both women and men to identify couples-based strategies to increase adherence to ART

Piloting behavioral family systems therapy to improve adherence among adolescents with HIV: a case series intervention study

Adolescents with HIV are at high risk for suboptimal adherence but have been ignored by the literature. Treatment outcome and feasibility data for the first-known adaptation of Behavioral Family Systems Therapy (BFST) targeting adherence among adolescents with HIV are presented for four adolescents with suboptimal adherence. The intervention was delivered in an alternating home-based and telehealth format and a multi-method adherence assessment approach was used. Adherence improved for three adolescents, viral load decreased for two adolescents, and barriers to adherence declined for all participants. Delivery of an adapted BFST intervention was acceptable to families and may be a promising treatment approach.

Situational temptation for HIV medication adherence in high-risk youth

Abstract This study explored the role of situational temptation, a component of self-efficacy, in adolescent and young adult (ages 16-24) HIV medication adherence by assessing participants' perceptions of their temptation to miss medications in various situations (e.g., when medication causes physical side effects, when there is fear of disclosure of HIV status). Youth (n = 186; 83% African American) were participants in a multisite clinical trial examining the efficacy of a motivational intervention. Data were collected using computer-assisted personal interviewing. Youth believed the most tempting reasons or situations that might lead them to miss their HIV medications to be symptoms (if the medicine caused you to have other physical symptoms) and sick (if the medicine made you sick to your stomach or made you throw up or if it tasted bad), but these were not significantly associated with nonadherence. This suggests disconnection between youths' expectations of temptation and actual tempting situations associated with nonadherence. Situational temptations associated with nonadherence included lack of social support, needing a break from medications, and not seeing a need for medications. Interventions to improve adherence should consider perceptions of HIV medications, particularly the benefits of taking medications and expectations of physical symptoms. Interventionists and clinicians should consider situations that may tempt youth to miss doses of medication and help youth gain insight into these temptations. Emerging methods, such as Ecological Momentary Assessment (e.g., daily diaries, cell phone text messaging), may be useful in gaining insight into the day-to-day experience of youth living with HIV.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in pediatric patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)

The evaluation of HIV treatment adherence is essential to manage the development of resistant mutations, treatment failure, and disease progression in patients with HIV-1 infection; however, none of the commonly used measures of treatment adherence have been found to be accurate. The objective of this study was to evaluate three treatment adherence measures (caregiver reports, pharmacy refill, and appointment maintenance data) in association with viral load suppression in pediatric patients with HIV-1 infection. Although viral suppression was not found to be significantly associated with adherence defined by any single measure, treatment adherence could be predicted if all three measures were in agreement.

Case study: multisystemic therapy for adolescents who engage in HIV transmission risk behaviors

OBJECTIVE

To present a case study using multisystemic therapy (MST), an intensive family focused psychotherapy. For the clinical trial from which this case was drawn, MST was adapted to address multiple human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission risk behaviors in HIV-infected youth. Targeted behaviors included medication nonadherence, risky sexual behaviors, and substance use.

METHOD

One young woman's transmission risk behaviors are described, followed by a description of the MST procedures used to identify and treat the primary drivers of these risk behaviors. Outcome measures were self-report, urine screens, and blood draws.

RESULTS

At discharge, the young woman showed significant improvements in medication adherence and related health status (e.g., reduced HIV viral load), healthier sexual behaviors, and reduced substance use. Importantly, neither her boyfriend nor her newborn tested positive for HIV.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this case study suggest that MST has the potential to reduce transmission risk behaviors among teens with HIV.

Prevalência e fatores associados à adesão de crianças na terapia antirretroviral em três centros urbanos do sul do Brasil

O presente estudo verificou a prevalência e fatores associados à adesão de crianças na terapia antirretroviral (TARV), em três centros urbanos do Sul do Brasil: Passo Fundo, Canoas e Cachoeira do Sul. A população do estudo foi de 44 crianças, de dezoito meses a treze anos de idade, em TARV. Os dados foram coletados através de um questionário sociodemográfico com os cuidadores, visando conhecer sexo, idade, escolaridade, esquema de tratamento e estado clínico das crianças, bem como renda, idade e escolaridade do cuidador. Considerou-se adesão quando a TARV atingiu 95% do regime prescrito. O delineamento do estudo foi analítico transversal. Os dados foram analisados de forma descritiva (frequência, percentual) e através de análise bivariada (qui-quadrado), cruzando-se o desfecho (adesão à TARV) com as variáveis independentes: estado clínico, esquema de tratamento e dados sociodemográficos da criança e do cuidador. Os resultados mostraram uma adesão de 82% do total das crianças estudadas. A análise bivariada não apontou associações significativas entre a adesão e as variáveis independentes. Foi encontrada uma possível tendência linear de aumento da adesão em função do melhor estado clínico da criança. O alto percentual de adesão obtido no presente estudo está de acordo com o encontrado na literatura.

Treatment adherence: the experience of adolescents with HIV/AIDS

Living with a chronic condition is difficult at any stage of life, especially when considering HIV/AIDS, a stigmatized condition that elicits so much discrimination and which may become an aggravating factor when it occurs during adolescence. This study aimed to understand the experience of adolescents with HIV/AIDS concerning medication adherence. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Nine adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years and six caregivers participated in the study. The organization of data focused on positive and negative aspects related to adherence. The results showed that adolescents have difficulties in medication adherence especially due to their side effects; they try to normalize their lives in such a way that stigma and discrimination do not compromise their quality of life and treatment adherence. Recommendations to encourage treatment adherence are presented.

Adherence to isoniazid prophylaxis among HIV-infected children: a randomized controlled trial comparing two dosing schedules

BACKGROUND

Tuberculosis contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected children in sub-Saharan Africa. Isoniazid prophylaxis can reduce tuberculosis incidence in this population. However, for the treatment to be effective, adherence to the medication must be optimized. We investigated adherence to isoniazid prophylaxis administered daily, compared to three times a week, and predictors of adherence amongst HIV-infected children.

METHODS

We investigated adherence to study medication in a two centre, randomized trial comparing daily to three times a week dosing of isoniazid. The study was conducted at two tertiary paediatric care centres in Cape Town, South Africa. Over a 5 year period, we followed 324 HIV-infected children aged >or= 8 weeks. Adherence information based on pill counts was available for 276 children. Percentage adherence was calculated by counting the number of pills returned. Adherence >or= 90% was considered to be optimal. Analysis was done using summary and repeated measures, comparing adherence to the two dosing schedules. Mean percentage adherence (per child during follow-up time) was used to compare the mean of each group as well as the proportion of children achieving an adherence of >or= 90% in each group. For repeated measures, percentage adherence (per child per visit) was dichotomized at 90%. A logistic regression model with generalized estimating equations, to account for within-individual correlation, was used to evaluate the impact of the dosing schedule. Adjustments were made for potential confounders and we assessed potential baseline and time-varying adherence determinants.

RESULTS

The overall adherence to isoniazid was excellent, with a mean adherence of 94.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 93.5-95.9); similar mean adherence was achieved by the group taking daily medication (93.8%; 95% CI 92.1-95.6) and by the three times a week group (95.5%; 95% CI 93.8-97.2). Two-hundred and seventeen (78.6%) children achieved a mean adherence of >or= 90%. Adherence was similar for daily and three times a week dosing schedules in univariate (odds ratio [OR] 0.88; 95% CI 0.66-1.17; P = 0.38) and multivariate (adjusted OR 0.85; 95% CI 0.64-1.11; P = 0.23) models. Children from overcrowded homes were less adherent (adjusted OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.54-0.95; P = 0.02). Age at study visit was predictive of adherence, with better adherence achieved in children older than 4 years (adjusted OR 1.96; 95% CI 1.16-3.32; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Adherence to isoniazid was excellent regardless of the dosing schedule used. Intermittent dosing of isoniazid prophylaxis can be considered as an alternative to daily dosing, without compromising adherence or efficacy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials NCT00330304.

Longitudinal changes in regional fat content in HIV-infected children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Alterations in regional fat are often reported in HIV infection. Prior studies have not distinguished between normal changes in regional fat related to sexual maturation and those due to HIV. The study aim was to compare changes in regional fat distribution in HIV-infected (HIV+) and healthy (HIV-) children and adolescents living in the United States.

METHODS

Serial dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was performed at baseline and two annual follow-up visits in 64 HIV+ and 147 HIV--participants aged 6-16 years. Total, leg, arm, and trunk fat masses (kg) and regional fat distribution as the percentage of total body fat (%) were compared.

RESULTS

HIV+ and HIV--participants did not differ in total fat mass, but the HIV+ group had significantly lower leg and greater arm fat and trunk fat percentage at all time points. Over time, decreases in leg fat percentage and increases in arm fat percentage were more marked among the HIV+ group. Differences between HIV+ and HIV--groups in arm and leg fat percentage remained significant when age, sex, race, height, and pubertal stage were accounted for by mixed effect modeling. Apart from prior treatment with stavudine, no differences in fat distribution were observed according to treatment or degree of immunodeficiency or viremia.

CONCLUSION

Although no single pattern of change in regional fat distribution was uniquely associated with HIV, perinatally HIV-infected youth manifest significantly decreased leg fat and increased arm and trunk fat. These differences increase over time and may contribute to cardiovascular disease risk.

Medication diaries do not improve outcomes with highly active antiretroviral therapy in Kenyan children: a randomized clinical trial

Background

As highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) becomes increasingly available to African children, it is important to evaluate simple and feasible methods of improving adherence in order to maximize benefits of therapy.

Methods

HIV-1-infected children initiating World Health Organization non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase-inhibitor-containing first-line HAART regimens were randomized to use medication diaries plus counselling, or counselling only (the control arm of the study). The diaries were completed daily by caregivers of children randomized to the diary and counselling arm for nine months. HIV-1 RNA, CD4+ T cell count, and z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height were measured at a baseline and every three to six months. Self-reported adherence was assessed by questionnaires for nine months.

Results

Ninety HIV-1-infected children initiated HAART, and were followed for a median of 15 months (interquartile range: 2–21). Mean CD4 percentage was 17.2% in the diary arm versus 16.3% in the control arm at six months (p = 0.92), and 17.6% versus 18.9% at 15 months (p = 0.36). Virologic response with HIV-1 RNA of <100 copies/ml at nine months was similar between the two arms (50% for the diary arm and 36% for the control, p = 0.83). The weight-for-age, height-for-age and weight-for-height at three, nine and 15 months after HAART initiation were similar between arms. A trend towards lower self-reported adherence was observed in the diary versus the control arm (85% versus 92%, p = 0.08).

Conclusion

Medication diaries did not improve clinical and virologic response to HAART over a 15-month period. Children had good adherence and clinical response without additional interventions. This suggests that paediatric HAART with conventional counselling can be a successful approach. Further studies on targeted approaches for non-adherent children will be important.

Drug resistance in the Chinese National Pediatric Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort: implications for paediatric treatment in the developing world

China's National Pediatric ART Program began in 2005, in which 32 ART-experienced and 51 antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve children received paediatric formulations of (zidovudine or stavudine) plus lamivudine plus (nevirapine or efavirenz). Reverse transcriptase sequencing and analysis was performed on plasma samples with >1000 HIV copies/mL after one year of treatment. Thirty-four samples were sequenced. Nearly all patients had nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor mutations. High/intermediate resistance was found to lamivudine/emtricitabine in 31 patients; to didanosine, abacavir, stavudine and zidovudine in 18 patients; and to tenofovir in 11 patients. All had high-level resistance to nevirapine; all but one had high/intermediate-level resistance to efavirenz. Viral load was the only cohort characteristic significantly associated with developing resistance. Resistance to zidovudine, stavudine and tenofovir was more common in ART-experienced versus ART-naïve patients ( P = 0.02–0.05). Drug resistance is high in this cohort. Second-line therapy will require additional ART strategies and options, which are currently unavailable in most developing settings.

Psychiatric diagnosis and antiretroviral adherence among adolescent Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Research on adults with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has suggested that psychiatric and substance abuse comorbidities are prevalent in this population, and that these may sometimes be associated with use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and adherence. For adolescents with HIV/AIDS, much less is known about patterns of mental health comorbidity, and even fewer data are available that compare them to socioeconomically comparable youth without HIV/AIDS. Using medical and pharmacy data from 1999 to 2000 Medicaid claims (Medicaid Analytic Extract) from 4 states for beneficiaries aged 12 to 17 years, we identified 833 youth under care for HIV/AIDS meeting study criteria within the HIV/AIDS group, receipt of ART was less likely for youth who had diagnoses of substance abuse, conduct disorders, or emotional disorders than for others. Once ART was initiated, adherence did not significantly differ between adolescents living with a psychiatric condition, and those who were not, with the exception of an association between conduct disorder and lower adherence. Among those with HIV/AIDS, ART use and adherence were more common among youth with higher rates of service use, regardless of psychiatric status. Associations between race and adherence varied by gender: compared with their white counterparts, minority girls had lower, and minority boys had higher adherence.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy among older children and adolescents with HIV: a qualitative study of psychosocial contexts

Abstract Survival among perinatally infected children and youth with HIV has been greatly extended since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapies. Yet, adherence to HIV medication regimens is suboptimal and decreases as children reach adolescence. This paper reports on a qualitative study examining psychosocial factors associated with adherence among perinatally infected youth ages 10-16 years. The study was based on in-depth interviews with a sample of 30 caregivers participating in a comprehensive health care program in New York City serving families with HIV. A subsample comprising 14 caregivers of children ages 10 and above is the focus of this paper. The analysis identified a number of themes associated with the psychosocial context of managing adherence among older children. Maintaining adherence was an ongoing challenge and strategies evolved as children matured. Regimen fatigue and resistance to taking the medications were major challenges to maintaining adherence among the oldest children. In other cases, caregivers developed a kind of partnership with their child for administering the medications. Disclosure to the child of his or her HIV status was used as a strategy to promote adherence but seemed to be effective only under certain circumstances. Social support appeared to have an indirect influence on adherence, primarily by providing caregivers with temporary help when needed. Health care professionals were an important source of disclosure and adherence support for parents. The study illustrates the interplay of maturational issues with other contextual psychosocial factors as influences on adherence among older children and adolescents.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy in young children in Cape Town, South Africa, measured by medication return and caregiver self-report: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) dramatically improves outcomes for children in Africa; however excellent adherence is required for treatment success. This study describes the utility of different measures of adherence in detecting lapses in infants and young children in Cape Town, South Africa.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort of 122 HIV-infected children commenced on ART, adherence was measured monthly during the first year of treatment by medication return (MR) for both syrups and tablets/capsules. A questionnaire was administered to caregivers after 3 months of treatment to assess experience with giving medication and self-reported adherence. Viral and immune response to treatment were assessed at the end of one year and associations with measured adherence determined.

RESULTS

Medication was returned for 115/122 (94%) children with median age (IQR) of 37 (16-61) months. Ninety-one (79%) children achieved annual average MR adherence > or = 90%. This was an important covariate associated with viral suppression after adjustment for disease severity (OR = 5.5 [95%CI: 0.8-35.6], p = 0.075), however was not associated with immunological response to ART. By 3 months on ART, 13 (10%) children had deceased and 11 (10%) were lost to follow-up. Questionnaires were completed by 87/98 (90%) of caregivers of those who remained in care. Sensitivity of poor reported adherence (missing > or = 1 dose in the previous 3 days) for MR adherence <90% was only 31.8% (95% CI: 10.7%-53.0%). Caregivers of 33/87 (38.4%) children reported difficulties with giving medication, most commonly poor palatability (21.8%). Independent socio-demographic predictors of MR adherence > or = 90% were secondary education of caregivers (OR = 4.49; 95%CI: 1.10-18.24) and access to water and electricity (OR = 2.65; 95%CI: 0.93-7.55). Taking ritonavir was negatively associated with MR adherence > or = 90% (OR = 0.37; 95%CI: 0.13-1.02).

CONCLUSION

Excellent adherence to ART is possible in African infants and young children and the relatively simple low technology measure of adherence by MR strongly predicts viral response. Better socio-economic status and more palatable regimens are associated with better adherence.

Family experiences with pediatric antiretroviral therapy: responsibilities, barriers, and strategies for remembering medications

This study examines the relationship between adherence to pediatric HIV regimens and three family experience factors: (1) regimen responsibility; (2) barriers to adherence; and (3) strategies for remembering to give medications. Caregivers of 127 children ages 2-15 years in the PACTS-HOPE multisite study were interviewed. Seventy-six percent of caregivers reported that their children were adherent (taking > or = 90% of prescribed doses within the prior 6 months). Most caregivers reported taking primary responsibility for medication-related activities (72%-95% across activities); caregivers with primary responsibility for calling to obtain refills (95%) were more likely to have adherent children. More than half of caregivers reported experiencing one or more adherence barriers (59%). Caregivers who reported more barriers were also more likely to report having non-adherent children. Individual barriers associated with nonadherence included forgetting, changes in routine, being too busy, and child refusal. Most reported using one or more memory strategies (86%). Strategy use was not associated with adherence. Using more strategies was associated with a greater likelihood of reporting that forgetting was a barrier. For some families with adherence-related organizational or motivational difficulties, using numerous memory strategies may be insufficient for mastering adherence. More intensive interventions, such as home-based nurse-administered dosing, may be necessary.

A systematic review of pediatric adherence to antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries

BACKGROUND

Sustaining antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence requires accurate, consistent monitoring, a particular challenge for low-income countries. The optimal strategy to measure pediatric adherence remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct a systematic review of pediatric ART adherence measurement techniques, adherence estimates, and clinical correlates in low- and middle-income countries to inform ART adherence monitoring.

METHODS

We searched online bibliographic databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, using systematic criteria. Two reviewers selected all descriptive or interventional studies involving nonpregnant, HIV-positive individuals < or =18 years old that measured ART adherence in low- or middle-income countries as defined by World Bank criteria. Data were extracted regarding sample characteristics, study setting, measurement strategy, adherence estimate, and adherence correlates.

RESULTS

The search yielded 1566 titles, of which 17 met selection criteria. Adherence measurement strategies included self- or proxy-report measures (14 studies), pill counts (4 studies), pharmacy records, drug levels, clinic adherence, and directly observed therapy (1 study each). The self- or proxy-report measures were heterogeneous, and few employed validation strategies. Caregiver-reported adherence was generally higher than self-report estimates. Pill counts revealed lower adherence estimates. Estimates of ART adherence ranged from 49% to 100%, with 76% of articles reporting >75% adherence. Factors related to family structure, socioeconomic status, disclosure, and medication regimen were all significantly associated with ART adherence.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric HIV care programs in low- and middle-income countries use heterogeneous methods to measure ART adherence. Adherence estimates vary substantially, but most studies from low- and middle-income countries report >75% adherence, whereas most studies from high-income countries report <75% adherence.

Clinical outcomes after an unstructured treatment interruption in children and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV infection

OBJECTIVE

An unstructured treatment interruption in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection is an issue with unresolved significance. The objective of this study was to investigate the actual prevalence and clinical outcomes of a treatment interruption in children and adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection.

METHODS

Clinical data were analyzed for 72 children and adolescents who had HIV-1 infection and stopped their medications at 4 academic centers in the United States between January 2000 and September 2004.

RESULTS

Among 405 patients with perinatal HIV-1 infection, 72 (17.8%) experienced a treatment interruption during the observation period. The mean age of patients at the time of the treatment interruption was 12.8 years, and the mean length of the treatment interruption was 14 months. Medication fatigue was the most common reason for a treatment interruption. The CD4+ T-cell percentage nadir before the treatment interruption did not predict CD4+ T-cell percentage declines during the treatment interruption; however, the CD4+ T-cell percentage gain from nadir to the time of the treatment interruption predicted CD4+ T-cell percentage declines during the treatment interruption. During the median follow-up of 19 months (range: 6-48 months), 48 (67%) patients resumed antiretroviral medications. As expected, there was a continuous CD4+ T-cell percentage decrease and plasma HIV-1 RNA increase during the observation period. Overall, 7 (10%) patients were admitted to the hospital; 2 (3%) patients experienced an AIDS-defining illness.

CONCLUSIONS

An unstructured treatment interruption seems to be a major issue for youth with perinatally acquired HIV-1 infection. Patients who experienced the greatest rise in CD4+ T-cell percentage on treatment had the largest CD4+ T-cell percentage decline after the treatment interruption. Close monitoring is required when a treatment interruption occurs in children and adolescents with HIV infection.

Electronic measurement of adherence to pediatric antiretroviral therapy in South Africa

BACKGROUND

Little is known about adherence to pediatric antiretroviral regimens in countries of the developing world. Both assessment methods and predictors of adherence need to be examined to deliver appropriate health care to the growing patient population in resource-limited settings.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study of adherence in a pediatric HIV outpatient clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Adherence was assessed by the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) and caregiver self-report by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Virologic response was recorded at study baseline and closest follow-up visit, child and caregiver data were collected by questionnaires.

RESULTS

For 73 children followed, median adherence by MEMS was 87.5%; median caregiver reported adherence was 100%. MEMS and caregiver report differed in reporting excellent (>95%) adherence, with MEMS classifying 36% of subjects in this category, whereas caregiver report classified 91%. Overall, 65% of children achieved virologic suppression after the study period. MEMS adherence was significantly associated with virologic suppression. The highest specificity was obtained when adjusting the data for doses taken at the prescribed time (91.3%). No predictors for the differences between MEMS and caregiver reported adherence could be identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Adherence to pediatric antiretroviral regimens in South Africa is not lower than in the developed world, yet not high enough to guarantee long-term treatment success. Caregiver report seems unreliable in this setting. MEMS is a feasible and accurate measure of adherence for children on liquid drug formulations.

Chinese pediatric highly active antiretroviral therapy observational cohort: a 1-year analysis of clinical, immunologic, and virologic outcomes

BACKGROUND

Few data are available on the outcomes of pediatric antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the developing world.

METHODS

Eighty-three children were followed prospectively in China from July 2005 to August 2006 and received (zidovudine or stavudine) plus lamivudine plus (nevirapine or efavirenz).

RESULTS

Fifty-one children were ART naive at enrollment, and 32 were ART experienced. After 12 months, median weight increased by 0.3 weight for age z-score, median CD4 count increased from 116 to 340 cells/mm (P < 0.0001), and median viral load decreased from 5.53 to <2.60 log10 copies/mL (P < 0.0001) in the previously ART-naive children. In the ART-experienced children, median CD4 count increased from 193 to 318 cells/mm (P = 0.13), despite little change in median viral load (4.85 to 4.58 log10 copies/mL; P = 0.83). The viral load was <400 copies/mL in 55% of the previously ART-naive children and in 16% of the ART-experienced children.

CONCLUSIONS

Weight and CD4 cell counts improved, and more than half of previously ART-naive patients had undetectable viral loads at 1 year. Future efforts should focus on improved virologic suppression through improved adherence and access to second-line regimens.

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy for pediatric HIV infection: a qualitative systematic review with recommendations for research and clinical management

Although nonadherence to prescribed therapies is widespread, it is particularly problematic with highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection. This review of >50 studies in the area of pediatric HIV infection revealed varying methods for assessing antiretroviral adherence with a wide range of estimates of adherence. Correlates of adherence could be grouped as those relating to the medication, the patient, and the caregiver/family, with many conflicting findings and a lack of theory guiding the research. Only 8 studies, mainly small feasibility or pilot investigations, evaluated highly active antiretroviral therapy adherence interventions in pediatric populations. We conclude with specific recommendations for assessment and clinical management of adherence and discuss directions for future research in this area.

Psychosocial factors and treatment adherence in paediatric HIV/AIDS

A social ecological model provides a promising framework for understanding the individual, family, and societal factors contributing to non-adherence to treatment of paediatric HIV. This study explored which factors relevant to this model are associated with caregivers' adherence and child health outcomes. A cross-sectional design was utilized to assess relationships among current individual, familial, extra-familial factors, caregiver adherence, and viral load. Data were collected from 43 caregivers, and viral load data were obtained from the medical records of their HIV+ children. Caregiver drug and alcohol use and HIV+ status were associated with non-adherence and elevated viral load. Negative outcome expectancy was associated with lower adherence but was not significant in the multivariate analyses. Family factors were not significant, but these measures had low reliability in this sample. Extra-familial factors such as dissatisfaction with medical specialty care and more stressful life events were not directly associated with adherence but were related to increased caregiver substance use. Results of this first study to explore multiple predictors of adherence and health outcomes in paediatric HIV require replication with larger samples, but findings suggest caregiver characteristics that place children at risk for disease progression due to poor adherence to treatment.

Adherence to high activity antiretrovial therapy (HAART) in pediatric patients infected with HIV: issues and interventions

It has been proven that HAART is effective in suppressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with HIV and improving quality of life in adults as well as children infected with HIV. However, drugs don't work in patients who don't take them and in the management of HIV infection it is now well established that optimum adherence to HAART is critical to successful outcome of patients receiving therapy. At least 95% adherence to HAART is optimum and studies have shown that 50%. Important factors that influence adherence to HAART such as regimen related complexities, patient/family related issues and factors related to healthcare delivery system makes adherence to HAART challenging. Although numerous interventions to improve adherence have been investigated in developed as well as developing countries, majority of work in this area is focused on adherence in adults and data in children is limited. Therefore, in order to facilitate adherence and improve outcome of HAART in pediatric population, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of the factors influencing adherence and interventions that can improve adherence in children.

Social support and disclosure as predictors of mental health in HIV-positive youth

The purpose of this study was to describe mental health symptoms in a sample of 66 HIV-positive youth (ages 16-25) and to evaluate social support, disclosure, and physical status as predictors of symptoms. Data were collected from January 2002 to May 2003. As measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), 50% of the youth scored above the cutoff for clinically significant mental health symptoms, thus highlighting the need for mental health services. Lower social support, higher viral load, HIV-status disclosure to acquaintances, and being gay/lesbian/bisexual (GLB) were all significantly correlated with more mental health symptoms, but disclosure to family and close friends and contact with service providers were not. Furthermore, regression analysis showed that social support, viral load, and disclosure to acquaintances predicted 32% of the variance in mental health symptoms. Being GLB was no longer significant, most likely because of shared variance with low social support. Results suggest the importance of mental health interventions, and the potential of social support interventions to improve mental health. Further research addressing the role of HIV-related stigma and homophobia is warranted.

Predictors of adherence to antiretroviral medications in children and adolescents with HIV infection

BACKGROUND

Most evaluations of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in children with HIV infection have focused on validation of adherence measures via their association with virological outcomes. However, few studies have fully explored associations with other factors to guide development of adherence interventions.

METHODS

In this study, we examined the relationship of self-reported medication adherence to health, demographic, and psychosocial characteristics of children and their caregivers, using data from an ongoing multicenter prospective observational study of long-term outcomes of HIV infection conducted by the Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Child and caregiver characteristics were evaluated for association with adherence via univariate and multiple logistic regression models.

RESULTS

Of the 2088 children and adolescents, 84% reported complete adherence to antiretroviral therapy medications over the past 3 days. The median viral load was approximately 10 times higher among nonadherent than adherent children, and the strength of this association increased with age. Factors associated with at least marginally significant increases in nonadherence in a multiple logistic regression model included increasing age in years, female gender, detectable HIV viral load, occurrence of recent stressful life events, repeating a grade in school, self-assessment of adherence by the subject, and diagnosis of depression or anxiety. Having an adult other than the biological parent as the primary caregiver, using a buddy system to remember to take antiretroviral therapy medications, higher caregiver education level, previous adherence assessments, and taking antipsychotic medications were each associated with improved adherence. After controlling for these characteristics, there was no significant association of adherence with race, knowledge of HIV status, medication burden, CD4 percentage, or current antiretroviral therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Rates of self-reported adherence were relatively high and were influenced by multiple child and family characteristics. These findings identify targets for adherence interventions and highlight the importance of evaluating and supporting the family environment to optimize adherence.

Disclosure of HIV status and adherence to daily drug regimens among HIV-infected children in Uganda

Pediatric adherence to daily drug regimens has not been widely assessed in Africa where majority of HIV infected children live. Using in-depth interviews of 42 HIV-infected children taking ART and/or cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, and 42 primary caregivers, at a comprehensive HIV/AIDS clinic in Uganda, we evaluated their adherence experiences for purposes of program improvement. Daily drug regimens provided by the pediatric clinic included cotrimoxazole prophylaxis as well as ART and cotrimoxazole combined. Complete disclosure of HIV status by caregivers to children and strong parental relationships were related to good adherence. Structural factors including poverty and stigma were barriers to adherence even for children who had had complete disclosure and a supportive relationship with a parent. To ensure adherence to life-extending medications, our findings underscore the need for providers to support caregivers to disclose, provide on-going support and maintain open communication with HIV-infected children taking cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and ART.

Multidisciplinary, inpatient directly observed therapy for HIV-1-infected children and adolescents failing HAART: A retrospective study

Children and adolescents with HIV-1 infection and elevated viral loads are at risk for disease progression. When outpatient adherence efforts fail to reduce viral loads, we have chosen to hospitalize patients for directly observed antiretroviral therapy. A retrospective chart review was performed for patients who were admitted for adherence concerns to a rehabilitation facility from December 1, 2000 to December 1, 2003. Differences in CD4 count and viral load at admission, prior to discharge and 6 months after discharge were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Nineteen admissions were included in the analysis. Compared to the mean CD4 count at admission (262), the mean CD4 counts at discharge (492) and 6 months after discharge (429) were significantly higher (p < 0.001 and p = 0.01, respectively). Similar results were observed for change in CD4 percentage. Compared to the mean viral load at admission (log 5.7), the mean viral loads at discharge (log 4.7) and 6 months after discharge (log 5) were significantly lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.004). The majority of admissions (74%) involved a change in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen. In conclusion, hospitalization for directly observed therapy of HIV-1-infected children and adolescents with elevated viral loads and nonadherence resulted in an immediate and sustained (up to 6 months) reduction in viral load and increase in CD4 count.

Use of multisystemic therapy to improve antiretroviral adherence and health outcomes in HIV-infected pediatric patients: evaluation of a pilot program

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate a clinical program that used multisystemic therapy (MST) to improve regimen adherence and health outcomes among children with perinatally acquired HIV who exhibited high viral loads in the absence of viral resistance. MST is an intensive, home-based family therapy previously used for the treatment of serious antisocial behavior. Goals of the study were to assess the feasibility of the MST program and its effectiveness for improving health outcomes among children who were treated. The study was conducted by retrospective chart review. Ninety percent of children and families referred to the program accepted the referral and 95% received a full dose of treatment, suggesting high program feasibility. Nineteen children participated in the program. General HIV knowledge on the part of caregivers improved significantly over the course of treatment. Although caregiver-reported adherence did not change, viral loads were found to significantly decrease from referral to the end of MST treatment, with the mean change reflecting a greater than 1 log10 decrease. The majority of children maintained these improvements during the 3 months after treatment termination. Results suggest that MST holds promise as an intervention for improving health outcomes among pediatric patients with HIV.

Pediatric HIV adherence: an ever-evolving challenge

Providers working with children living with HIV strive to achieve "good adherence," often viewed only as consistent pill taking by the infected child. This goal, while important, needs to be expanded with a thorough examination of the many biopsychosocial factors impacting the HIV affected family. The complexity of the issues affecting adherence to a pediatric HIV medical regimen can overwhelm both the practitioner and the patient. By utilizing a developmental framework and emphasizing the critical importance of the relationship between provider, patient and family, the authors (both of whom are social workers who have worked over a period of many years with children and families living with terminal and serious chronic illnesses) describe a developmental approach that includes comprehensive assessment to address the multiple challenges faced by individuals and families they have worked with.