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Personal HIV Knowledge, Appointment Adherence and HIV Outcomes

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Abstract

HIV knowledge may impact patient access, understanding, and utilization of HIV medical information. This study explored the relationship between personal HIV knowledge, appointment adherence and treatment outcomes. HIV-infected individuals (n = 210) were assessed on factors related to HIV knowledge and appointment adherence. Adherence data and laboratory values were extracted from medical records. HIV knowledge was measured by participants’ knowledge of their CD4 count and viral load (VL) and adherence was defined as attendance at >75 % of appointments. Two-thirds of participants were adherent, but only one-third knew their CD4 count and VL. Controlling for time since last appointment, HIV knowledge more than doubled the odds of appointment adherence. In combination with relationship with provider, knowledge predicted increased CD4 count and increased odds of an undetectable VL by almost five times. Personal HIV knowledge may be a valuable indicator of engagement in care and may also facilitate improved treatment outcomes.

Resumen

El conocimiento acerca del VIH impacta el acceso, comprensión y utilización de la información médica de los pacientes. Este estudio exploró la relación entre el conocimiento personal sobre VIH, la adherencia a las visitas médicas y los resultados del tratamiento. Los individuos VIH positivos (n = 210) fueron analizados sobre factores relacionados al conocimiento sobre VIH y la adherencia a las visitas médicas. Los datos de laboratorio fueron extraídos de las historias médicas. Los datos sobre adherencia sobre VIH fueron medidos a través del conocimiento de los pacientes sobre su CD4 y su carga viral (CV) y la adherencia se definió como la asistencia a más del 75 % de las visitas. Dos tercios de los participantes fueron adherentes, pero solo un tercio de ellos conocía su CD4 y su CV. Controlando el tiempo desde la última consulta médica, el conocimiento sobre VIH fue más del doble que la adherencia a las visitas médicas. Combinado con la relación con el proveedor, la predicción sobre el conocimiento aumentó el contaje de CD4 y la proporción de una CV no detectable fue casi 5 veces mayor. El conocimiento sobre el VIH puede ser un valioso indicador de compromiso con la salud que facilita y mejora los resultados del tratamien.

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Acknowledgments

This study was made possible by a grant from NIH, R21 MH 084814.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1400 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL, 33136, USA

    Deborah Jones & Ryan Cook

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Allan Rodriguez

  3. Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Drenna Waldrop-Valverde

Authors
  1. Deborah Jones
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  2. Ryan Cook
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  4. Drenna Waldrop-Valverde
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Correspondence to Deborah Jones.

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Jones, D., Cook, R., Rodriguez, A. et al. Personal HIV Knowledge, Appointment Adherence and HIV Outcomes. AIDS Behav 17, 242–249 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0367-y

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