Medicines information and adherence in HIV/AIDS patients

BACKGROUND: Providing written medicines information is being legislated in an increasing number of countries worldwide, with the patient information leaflet (PIL) being the most widely used method for conveying health information. The impact of providing such information on adherence to therapy is reportedly unpredictable. Therapy for human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and related opportunistic infections usually involves polytherapy and complex regimens, both of which are risk factors for non-adherence. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of medicines information on adherence to chronic co-trimoxazole therapy in low-literate HIV/AIDS patients. METHODS: Two different PILs were designed for co-trimoxazole tablets and were available in both English and isiXhosa. Participants were randomly allocated to a control group (receiving no PIL), group A (receiving a "complex PIL") and group B (receiving a "simple PIL" incorporating pictograms). At the first interview, demographic data were collected and the time, date and day that the participant would take his/her first tablet of the month's course was also documented. In a follow-up interview adherence to therapy was assessed using two methods; self-report and tablet count. RESULTS: The medicines information materials incorporating simple text and pictograms resulted in significantly improved adherence to therapy in the short term, whereas a non-significant increase in adherence was associated with the availability of the more complex information. This was shown by both the self-reported assessment as well as the tablet count. CONCLUSION: This research suggests that appropriately designed written material can have a positive impact in improving adherence and, together with verbal consultation, are essential for enabling patients to make appropriate decisions about their medicine taking.     

云南省开展扩大艾滋病抗病毒治疗的探索实践

目的 回顾和分析云南省开展扩大艾滋病抗病毒治疗的探索实践,讨论存在的问题,为持续开展扩大抗病毒治疗提供建议。方 法利用《艾滋病综合防治系统---抗病毒治疗管理》数据库的数据分析以及文件的回顾分析以及部分的现场调查。结果云南省2011年开始扩大抗病毒治疗,通过抗病毒治疗点扩展到乡镇级增加服务可及性、政策强化扩大覆盖面、药物方案的优化以及社会组织的参与等等方面的实践,使得低CD4人群的覆盖面增加、高CD4人数入组比例增大从而每年新入组人数持续上升,初步分析表明抗病毒治疗的抑制较好以及病死率下降。结论目前云南省扩大抗病毒治疗初期已经取得了初步效果,但是持续和深入开展扩大治疗还需要下定决心解决某些关键的问题。     

Assessing adherence to antiretroviral therapy in randomized HIV clinical trials: a review of currently used methods

Antiretroviral therapy for the treatment of HIV infection requires high levels of adherence to both maintain plasma HIV RNA at undetectable levels and prevent the emergence of drug resistance. As adherence to treatment is a major criterion for the evaluation of therapeutic outcomes, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) conducted among HIV-infected patients commonly include an assessment of adherence. However, there is still no gold-standard tool for assessing adherence behaviors in HIV RCTs. The methods currently used to collect and analyze adherence data are varied, which makes the comparison of results between studies difficult. The scope of this article is to review and discuss the range of adherence measures currently used in RCTs conducted among HIV-infected adults.     

Disclosure challenges among people living with HIV in Thailand

One of the main challenges facing people living with HIV (PLH) in Thailand is HIV disclosure. The goal of this study was to examine HIV disclosure barriers and motivators in Northeastern Thailand. Focus groups were conducted with 40 PLH to explore the barriers and motivators. To confirm the themes identified in the focus groups, face‐face interviews were conducted with 50 PLH. Focus group findings revealed barriers to HIV disclosure in three domains: perceived stigma, shame and fear of rejection. Motivators to HIV disclosure consisted of the following: coping with illness, seeking help and common experiences. Findings from the face‐to‐face interviews included the following barriers: fear of privacy breach, fear of rejection and communication difficulties. The motivators to HIV disclosure included seeking supportive relationship, duty to inform and catharsis. Based on these findings, we are currently developing family‐focused HIV disclosure intervention in Northeastern Thailand.     

HIV-infected patients' adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy: a phenomenological study

Adherence to the treatment regimen is essential to the success of highly active antiretroviral therapy for patients who are infected with HIV. The evidence suggests that poor adherence to antiretroviral drug therapy is a major problem that has the potential to diminish effective viral suppression, promote viral resistance, and place patients at risk for hospitalization, opportunistic infections, and an increased risk of HIV transmission. The primary aim of this study was to understand patients' experiences regarding their adherence to antiretroviral drug therapy. Thus, 19 participants were recruited for in-depth interviews regarding their adherence to drug regimens. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed by using Benner's phenomenological analysis approach. Four main themes emerged from the data: (i) choosing to live and the decision to start taking medications; (ii) strategies for adhering to the regimen and managing the side-effects; (iii) relationships with healthcare providers; and (iv) advantages of the medications as a motivator to continue one's adherence to the regimen. Studying and understanding the experiences of patients can provide new insights and strategies in order to enhance patients' adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy.     

A randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual

This study investigates whether using an HIV/AIDS symptom management manual with self-care strategies for 21 common symptoms, compared to a basic nutrition manual, had an effect on reducing symptom frequency and intensity. A 775-person, repeated measures, randomized controlled trial was conducted over three months in 12 sites from the United States, Puerto Rico, and Africa to assess the relationship between symptom intensity with predictors for differences in initial symptom status and change over time. A mixed model growth analysis showed a significantly greater decline in symptom frequency and intensity for the group using the symptom management manual (intervention) compared to those using the nutrition manual (control) (t = 2.36, P = 0.018). The models identified three significant predictors for increased initial symptom intensities and in intensity change over time: (1) protease inhibitor-based therapy (increased mean intensity by 28%); (2) having comorbid illness (nearly twice the mean intensity); and (3) being Hispanic receiving care in the United States (increased the mean intensity by 2.5 times). In addition, the symptom manual showed a significantly higher helpfulness rating and was used more often compared to the nutrition manual. The reduction in symptom intensity scores provides evidence of the need for palliation of symptoms in individuals with HIV/AIDS, as well as symptoms and treatment side effects associated with other illnesses. The information from this study may help health care providers become more aware of self-management strategies that are useful to persons with HIV/AIDS and help them to assist patients in making informed choices.     

An exploratory, randomized controlled trial of adherence therapy for people with schizophrenia

Poor adherence limits the effectiveness of antipsychotic treatment in people with psychosis. The aim of the pragmatic, exploratory, single-masked trial conducted in the USA was to explore the efficacy, acceptability, and satisfaction with adherence therapy (AT) in a sample of people with schizophrenia. Twenty-six patients (12 experimental and 14 controls) were randomly allocated to receive eight weekly sessions of AT or continue with their treatment as usual (TAU). Patients were assessed at baseline and follow up (after therapy completion). The primary outcome was psychiatric symptoms, assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). The secondary outcome, medication adherence, was measured by The Personal Evaluation of Transitions in Treatment. Patients receiving AT did not significantly improve in overall psychiatric symptomatology (change in PANSS total scores: AT: -10.2, TAU: -8.6; mean difference, -1.6; P = ns) or with medication adherence (AT: -2.8, TAU 1.5; P = ns) compared with the TAU group at follow up. Using the Adherence Therapy Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire, a high degree of satisfaction with AT was reported. Although AT did not result in a statistically-significant improvement in symptoms or medication adherence, evidence of active clinical engagement in treatment occurred.     

同伴支持提升HIV/AIDS患者抗病毒治疗依从性的系统评价

目的对同伴支持在提升HIV/AIDS患者抗病毒治疗依从性研究中的开展形式、内容和效果进行系统评价。方法全面检索中英文数据库,经过双人独立筛选和质量评价,采用描述性分析的方法,对文章信息进行描述、综合和分析。结果共纳入10篇文献,综合文献的信息,同伴支持的内容包括:提供艾滋病和抗病毒治疗相关的知识;协助就医、直接督导服药和帮助取药寄药;传递正向信息,降低歧视和羞辱感,协助建立社会网络;鼓励患者增强其信心;开展形式包括小组活动、"一对一"面谈、家庭访视、电话访问、互联网论坛和聊天软件随访。另外,文献结果表明患者实际参与到同伴支持中的程度与同伴支持提升服药依从性的效果相关。结论在HIV/AIDS患者充分参与到干预当中时,同伴支持可有效提升其服药依从性。同时,建议后续的同伴支持加强对同伴的能力培训和医护人员的协助,使患者充分参与;同时探讨影响患者参与到同伴支持的原因以及同伴支持对服药依从性的长期效果,为同伴支持干预方案的改善和效果提升提供依据。     

服药训练对提高艾滋病患者服药依从性的效果研究

目的探讨服药训练对提高初始治疗的艾滋病患者服药依从性的效果。方法对39例初始服药治疗艾滋病患者进行服药依从性训练,在治疗第4周、12周、24周和48周后进行服药依从性问卷调查及HIV病毒载量检测。结果治疗第4周、12周、24周、48周时服药依从性≥95%的患者占97.43%~100%。治疗24周及治疗48周时所有患者病毒均完全抑制。结论服药训练可以提高初始治疗艾滋病患者的服药依从性,提高抗逆转录病毒治疗效果。     

A programme of symptom management for improving quality of life and drug adherence in AIDS/HIV patients

AIM: This paper reports an evaluation of the effect of symptom management programmed on drug adherence, CD4 count and virus load and the quality of life of patients with HIV/AIDS. BACKGROUND: Patients with HIV/AIDS have to face the long-term side effects caused by highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens. There has been little research to evaluate the influence of drug intervention side effects on self-care. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients with HIV/AIDS were randomly assigned to one-on-one teaching, group teaching, or control groups. All those in the one-on-one and group teaching groups attended a symptom management programme once a week, followed by 3 weeks of continuity and telephone counselling. Those in the control group were offered experimental intervention at the conclusion of data collection. The Customized Adherence Self-Report Questionnaire, CD4 count and virus load, and Quality of Life Index were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the symptom management programme before and at 3 months after the intervention. RESULTS: Median differences on the Customized Adherence Self-Report Questionnaire, CD4 count and virus load, and quality of life in both experimental groups were statistically significantly better than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The symptom management programme can increase self-care ability in managing medication side effects in patients with HIV/AIDS.     

The correlation between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviours among people living with HIV/AIDS

The objectives of this study were to determine if significant correlation exists between drinking any alcoholic beverage and risky sex among 326 AIDS patients. Participants completed anonymous surveys. The result of the regression and Pearson correlation analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between drinking alcohol before sex and frequency of condom use (p<0.0001). The number of sex partners respondents reported was also correlated with the frequency of alcohol use (p = 0.003). The result shows that the quantity of alcohol consumption was correlated with two indicators of risky sex: having multiple sexual partners (p<0.0001) and having sexual intercourse without a condom (p<0.001). Interventions are that integrate HIV risk reduction with alcohol risk reduction is very useful to minimize the risk of new HIV infections and/or manage existing infections.     

Simplified regimens for treating HIV infection and AIDS

PURPOSE: To review the variables that greatly affect adherence to the complex treatment regimens used in HIV disease and to examine available options that could improve patient outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Comprehensive review of current medical and scientific literature, drug-prescribing literature, and randomized clinical trials of drug treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Effective treatment of HIV infection is dependent on consistent adherence to prescribed antiretroviral medications. A large pill burden, multiple daily doses, and adverse events are some of the complexities that negatively impact patient adherence. For example, lipodystrophy and hyperlipidemia are two serious side effects associated with some agents. Once-daily antiretroviral agents offer many advantages over historical treatment options but are associated with possible drawbacks. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Currently, four single agents are available for once-daily administration, and a few others are under investigation. In addition, combination therapy with either dual or boosted protease inhibitor regimens is becoming a popular way of overcoming the poor pharmacokinetic characteristics of individual protease inhibitors.     

艾滋病患者抗逆转录病毒治疗出现认知功能障碍情况的调查分析

目的调查艾滋病患者对抗逆转录病毒治疗的认知功能障碍情况,为专业护理人员早期护理干预提供依据。方法采用一般资料问卷、蒙特利尔认知评估量表对140例感染科门诊艾滋病患者进行调查。结果蒙特利尔认知评估量表得分26分的患者40例,占28.57%;认知障碍患者中延迟回忆、执行功能、抽象平均得分均较低,其次为语言功能及注意;其中以女性、老年等患者发生认知功能障碍较多。结论护理人员应对所有艾滋病患者进行认知功能评估,尤其是对于老年、女性、感染艾滋病病毒时间较长的患者加以重视,对于主诉有近期记忆力下降、大脑执行功能方面障碍的患者要及时进行检查及评估,以便早期发现并进行护理干预。     

Family caregiving of persons living with HIV/AIDS in Thailand: caregiver burden, an outcome measure

The present paper provides an initial picture of HIV/AIDS-affected families. It is evident that families play a major role of support for HIV/AIDS patients in Thai society. Caregiver burden is one of the patient-related outcomes, which is the most common outcome measure in caregiver research. The demands on the family caregivers of these patients are enormous and need to be addressed. The determinants that are associated with caregiver burden such as caregiver characteristics, patient characteristics and social stigma are important for nurses to minimize the burden of care so that appropriate interventions can be developed for persons with HIV/AIDS and family members who share the work of managing their care at home.     

医务人员HIV／AIDS职业暴露目标性监测

目的:了解医务人员在HIV/AIDS患者诊疗工作中的职业暴露情况和防护措施。方法:从2003年10月至2004年9月,使用统一的表格,对每位有职业暴露危险的医务人员进行目标性监测。结果:2003年10月至2004年9月发生HIV/AIDS职业暴露7例,职业暴露百分率为0.86%,感染率为0,职业暴露后监测率为100%。讨论:提高医务人员整体防护能力,重视医疗职业安全教育,牢固掌握职业暴露的正确处理方法,准确监测,加强医院防护基础建设,执行标准预防措施,规范防护流程,是避免医务人员在HIV/AIDS患者诊疗工作中发生医源性感染的有效措施。     

A comparative study of substance use before and after establishing HIV infection status among people living with HIV/AIDS

Objective: To determine if significant differences exist in substance use among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) before and after establishing their HIV infection status.

Method: The study participants are HIV positive clients of a community based HIV/AIDS outreach facility located in Montgomery, Alabama. The questionnaire includes demographics, substance use and risky sexual behaviors pertaining to HIV transmission. Each participant completed an anonymous questionnaire. A total of 341 questionnaires were distributed and 326 were fully completed and returned, representing a response rate of 96%.

Results: Findings revealed a statistically significant difference in alcohol consumption before sex among PLWHA before and after establishing their HIV infection status (p = .001). No significant differences were observed among participants who reported as having used drugs intravenously (p = .89), and among those sharing the same syringe/needle with another person (p = .87) before and after establishing their HIV infection status.

Conclusion: There is continued substance use and alcohol consumption before sex among PLWHA after establishing their HIV status despite clear evidence of such risky behaviors that could lead to an increase in exposure to HIV.     

Causal model of health: health-related quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in the northern region of Thailand

Abstract   The purpose of this study was to examine the causal relationships between age, antiretroviral treatment, social support, symptom experience, self-care strategies, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The subjects were 422 people living with HIV/AIDS. The data were collected via the Personal Resource Questionnaire 85 part 2, Symptom Experience Questionnaire, Self-care Strategies Questionnaire, and HRQOL Questionnaire. The results revealed that symptom experience had a significant negative direct effect on the HRQOL. Age, social support, antiretroviral treatment, and self-care strategies had a significant positive direct effect on the HRQOL. Moreover, social support and antiretroviral treatment had an indirect effect on the HRQOL via self-care strategies. The findings indicated that the health-care team should promote social support, both in the family and the community, including antiretroviral treatment, for enhanced HRQOL in people living with HIV/AIDS in the future.     

基层护理人员对HIV/AIDS认识的调查分析

目的:为了解基层护理人员对HIV/AIDS的认识和接受态度,以便对护理人员实施有的放矢的继续教育。方法:2006年3月分层随机抽取田东县7所医院,向在职护士发放调查问卷150份,进行流行病学现况研究。结果:73.3%以上的护士对HIV/AIDS的基本知识掌握较好,但只有45.0%的护士能对病人作全程护理,其知识掌握与接受程度不成正比(P<0.05),特别是对自己患病态度6.7%的人采取自杀,说明护士对HIV/AIDS的恐惧心理严重。结论:医疗卫生部门应加强对基层护理人员关于HIV/AIDS知识的培训,加大宣传力度,提高护士思想认识,规范操作规程,尽可能减少医源性感染机会,同时政府部门应制定相应的政策以减轻护士的心理负担,从而达到“战胜艾滋”这一人类共同的目标。     

Effect of logo-therapy,acceptance, commitment therapy,family psychoeducation on self-stigma,and depression on housewives living with HIV/AIDS

Objective

Self-stigma in people living with HIV/AIDS is a survival mechanism to protect themselves from external stigma. Stigma and discrimination in people living with HIV/AIDS can lead to inequality in social life. This inequality can cause inferiority complex, preoccupation, and denial of diagnosis, which correlates with the onset of depression. This study aims to determine the effect of logotherapy, commitment acceptance therapy, and family psychoeducation on self-stigma and depression on housewives living with HIV/AIDS.