Psychosocial variables and adherence to antiretroviral treatment in HIV/AIDS patients

• Grant number: 12/10898-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): August 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina de Oliveira Santos Miyazaki
• Grantee: Samuel Noah Scamardi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de São José do Rio Preto (FAMERP). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São José do Rio Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), now the standard treatment for patients with HIV/AIDS requires high rates of adherence, currently one of the main problems in disease management. The purpose of this study is to identify levels of ART adherence, presence of social support, mental disorders, symptoms of depression, and perceived self-efficacy to adhere the antiretroviral treatment. Method: 50 adult patients with positive serology for HIV undergoing antiretroviral therapy will participate in this study. Instruments: Questionnaire to assess adherence to antiretroviral therapy; Scale of Social Support for People Living with HIV/AIDS; Clinical Interview Schedule - Revised CIS-R; Beck's Depression Inventory; Self-effectiveness Scale of adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Procedure: After project approval by the Ethics in Research Committee, patients on antiretroviral treatment will be selected to participate in the study. Those who meet inclusion criteria will be invited to participate, signing a consent term and answering self-report instruments and a structured interview about symptoms of mental disorders. CD4/ viral load levels will be extracted from medical records. Data will be analyzed with descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests (significance level p d 0.05).(AU)