| Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), the importance of medication adherence to obtain maximum therapeutic benefit has emerged as a major health concern for HIV-positive individuals (Cohen, 2000; Shah & Bradbeer, 2000). Given that individuals with poor adherence to antiretroviral medications are more vulnerable to HIV replication and drug resistance, adherence to medical treatment is critical. Nonadherence has potentially devastating and far-reaching public health consequences, especially among many African-American and Latina women, who are vastly over-represented among this population (Cohen, 2000; Harder et al., 2001; Spire, 2002), and often confronted with financial and family concerns (Avants et al., 2001; Schuman et al., 2001;Tsasis, 2001).; A number of studies have demonstrated that factors such as mental health, substance use, and caregiver responsibilities influence adherence behaviors (Mellins et al., 2003; Roberts, 2000; Schuman et al., 2001; Spire, 2002; Squires, 2003). The importance of social support to patient's physical and emotional well-being has also been widely documented (DiMatteo, 2004). There has, however, been little attention in the current literature to any distinction in the types of social support, and health-related quality of life factors that are associated with medical treatment adherence. Given the importance of antiretroviral adherence, this study explored whether six dimensions of social support, (practical, emotional, affirmational, HIV support, general support, negative support) and health related quality of life (functional health, well-being, change in health, overall health) predict medical treatment adherence (medication adherence, medical appointments) among HIV-positive African-American and Latina mothers. |
