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MOPE508 - Poster Exhibition
Adherence to HAART among people living with HIV/AIDS in the Atlanta EMA
M. DeMayo1, A. McFarlane1, K. Humphries2, K.W. Whyte3, K.F. Carty3
1Emory University, School of Medicine, Atlanta, United States, 2Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health, Atlanta, United States, 3Fulton County Government, Ryan White Program, Atlanta, United States
Background: The Atlanta EMA ranks 7th in the United States in the number
of cumulative AIDS cases, and is home to 69% of all People Living With AIDS (PLWA)
in Georgia. The success of HAART is dependent on patient's
ability to adhere to their medication regiment.
The 2011 Atlanta EMA HIV Consumer Survey, conducted by the Southeast
AIDS Training and Education Center (SEATEC), on behalf of Fulton County
Government Ryan White Part A Program and the Metropolitan Atlanta HIV Health
Services Planning Council. Identifying
and understanding which sub-populations are least adherent and why was an
important goal of the study.
Methods: Seven hundred and fifteen (715) anonymous self-administered and interviewer-administered
surveys were completed in English or Spanish with People Living with HIV/AIDS
(PLWHA). The final sample was
proportionally consistent with the race and gender of people reported to be
living with AIDS as of December 31, 2010.
Respondents completed the survey using an audio computer assisted self-
interview (ACASI) survey that was developed using a Questionnaire Development
System (QDS). Once collected, the data
was stored in a warehouse management system and exported to SPSS for data
analysis.
Results: 27.4% (168) of those surveyed indicated they had skipped or stopped
taking their HIV medication within the 30 days prior to completing the survey.
Of these, 69% were male and 35% were older than 50 years. Of the eighteen reasons listed for skipping or
stopping their medication, the top five reasons indicated were forgetfulness
(47%), ran out of medication (19%), depression (18%), side effects (14%), and
being away from home (14%).
Conclusions: Effectiveness of HAART is highly dependent on consistent adherence. Programs to not only identify those currently
non-adherent and at risk of becoming non-adherent and strategies to minimize
non-adherence should be part of all primary medical care services for PLWH/A.
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