Date of Award

2001

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration

Department

Pharmacy Practice

First Advisor

Cynthia Willey

Abstract

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is still a significant public health problem. In the United States approximately 1,000,000 people live with HIV/AIDS infection.4The recommended treatment is HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy). The HAART treatment is very complex, because of a large number of prescribed drugs in a regimen, frequent dosing and also a number of side effects. In HIV management precise adherence13,26 to the prescribed medication regimen is the key for the maximal viral suppression and improved health status, and the only way to turn this deadly disease into a manageable chronic disease. The importance of many factors associated with medication adherence, including patient characteristics, disease characteristics, medication regimen characteristics, and the patient-provider relationship has been documented. One of the aspects of the complexity of the prescribed regimen is the number of medications in the regimen.

Results: The number of medications did not show association with medication adherence. Patients on a more complex antiretroviral medication regimen did not miss higher percent of prescribed medication, and we may not discriminate between adherent and non-adherent patients only based on a number of prescribed antiretroviral medication. Also the variables number of side effects and how long ago HIV positive were negatively associated with medication adherence.

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