One of the most prominent issues concerning taking and prescribing combination antiretroviral therapies for persons with HIV/AIDS is adherence to medication regimens. Health-related behaviors, including, taking prescribed medications, recognition of side effects and disease process, the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and self-perceived quality of life are especially relevant for HIV disease treatment. Management of symptoms, including lipodystrophy, is imperative to enhanced health-related quality of life in this population. Objective: The purpose of this study, via secondary analysis, was to determine the relationships among lipodystrophic symptoms, the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), medication adherence to antiretroviral therapies, and health-related quality of life in persons with HIV/AIDS. Design: A descriptive, correlational design was used. Population, Sample, Setting: Data were collected from 93 participants at an HIV/AIDS outpatient clinic in central California. Variables: This study examined the relationships among lipodystrophy symptoms, the use of CAM therapies, medication adherence, and health-related quality of life in persons with HIV/AIDS. Methods: Participants completed a Sociodemographic Data Form, Morisky Medication Adherence Scale, Living with HIV/AIDS Scale, and nine open-ended questions, exploring self-reported lipodystrophy-associated symptomotalogy, CAM therapy use and perceived effectiveness. Findings: The major findings derived from this study were that despite numerous reports of lipodystrophic symptoms, respondents noted adherence to HIV medication regimens. There were positive correlations among subjects’ ages and comorbidities, and numbers of years since diagnoses with HIV disease. There was also a relationship among comorbidities and numbers of years of posivity, and adherence to HIV medication regimens. Conclusion: Despite disease- and treatment-related symptoms, subjects who reported adherence to antiretroviral medication regimens indicated an enhanced quality of life. Implications: It may be purported that patient compliance with medication regimens early in the HIV disease trajectory has significant potential to diminish symptomatology and to enhance quality of life.
Back to Accepted Posters
Back to 37th Biennial Convention - Scientific Session
Sigma Theta Tau International