A Review of Interventions to Enhance HIV Medication Adherence

Purpose of Review Adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is crucial for a successful HIV treatment. Unfortunately, it is estimated that 45% of persons living with HIV (PLWH) have poor adherence to ART. To provide health care professionals and PLWH with effective tools for supporting adherence, researchers have investigated the effectiveness of psychosocial interventions to enhance adherence to ART. In this paper, interventional studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses that examine ART adherence interventions for PLWH are reviewed. Recent Findings Despite a diverse and wide-ranging assortment of ART adherence interventions, consistent lessons have been learned. Theory-based behavioral interventions are more likely to be effective than non-theory-based interventions, and interventions should be tailored to those most at risk for poor adherence. Digital and mobile ART adherence interventions have the potential to improve dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments, both domestically and abroad. There is great variability among interventions in terms of quality, intervention, sample, measures, and outcome characteristics. However, even with this variability, systematic reviews and meta-analyses have demonstrated that psychosocial interventions can improve ART adherence.

Automated summary

Despite the wide range of ART adherence interventions, theory-based behavioral interventions are found to be more effective than non-theory-based interventions. Interventions should be tailored to individuals at highest risk for poor adherence. Digital and mobile ART adherence interventions have the potential to improve dissemination and implementation of evidence-based treatments both nationally and internationally.