PREDICTORS OF COMPLIANCE OF AIDS PATIENTS ON PROTEASE INHIBITORS

Author

Tina Gursahani, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

1998

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Pharmacy Administration

Department

Pharmacy Practice

First Advisor

Cynthia Willey

Abstract

Compliance with Protease Inhibitors therapy is a very significant problem because noncompliant patients may develop resistance. The factors associated with compliance were examined in an HIV infected population (n=73) who were currently being prescribed a Protease Inhibitor. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, mood status and coping were obtained. Compliance was measured by the ''temptation to skip Protease Inhibitor scale" and "number of doses missed in the past three months". Multiple regression was used to examine three sets of predictors variables. Amongst the demographic predictors, number of people in household was significantly associated (p<0.01) with the dependent variable "Temptation to skip Protease Inhibitor" while gender was significantly associated with the dependent variable "number of doses missed in the past three months". The other demographic variables showed little association with compliance. Amongst the clinical predictors, pain interfering with work in the past four weeks significantly predicted the temptation to skip Protease Inhibitor therapy while none of the clinical predictors were associated with the number of doses missed in the past 3 months. General mental health and behavioral escape avoidance were the mood and coping variables that showed significant associations with the temptation to skip Protease Inhibitors. None of these predicted the number of doses missed in the past three months. Finally a multivariate model was developed which investigated factors which were most highly associated with medication compliance. General mental health and number of people in household appeared to be the most highly associated factors. These results suggested that patients should be treated for psychological distress and their families should be informed about the importance of social support to reduce the impact of this problem.

Recommended Citation

Gursahani, Tina, "PREDICTORS OF COMPLIANCE OF AIDS PATIENTS ON PROTEASE INHIBITORS" (1998). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 255.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/255