Adherence Factors for HIV Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV Seropositive African-Americans

Compared to other U.S. racial/ethnic groups, African-Americans experience higher treatment adherence deficits that prevent them from optimizing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) benefits. The current study assessed the effects of motivation on adherence to HAART treatment in HIV-positive African-Americans in a northeastern U.S. city. A cross-sectional survey of 332 HIV-positive African-American men and women aged 18 to 55 years was conducted using the Life Windows Information Motivation Behavioral Skills Adherence Questionnaire (LW-IMB-AAQ). Data were elicited on adherence related information, motivation, behavioral skills, and specific demographic characteristics. The research question asked whether HAART related motivation, LW-IMB-AAQ information, behavior skills scores, and participant demographic variables were predictive of HAART adherence. Multiple linear regression analyses results showed that adherence information and behavioral skills were statistically significant, positive predictors of HAART adherence; however, contrary to prediction, motivation was a statistically significantly negative predictor of adherence. These findings contribute to significant positive social change by demonstrating the necessity of adherence information and adherence behavioral skills over adherence motivation throughout the entire HAART adherence spectrum. The social change implication of this research can be met by implementing innovative evidence-based HIV/AIDS- related health education strategies and the enactment of supportive governmental policies aimed at increasing awareness and optimization of HAART benefits among HIV-positive African Americans.