Engagement with care, substance use, and adherence to therapy in HIV/AIDS

Engagement with care for those living with HIV is aimed at establishing a strong relationship between patients and their health care provider and is often associated with greater adherence to therapy and treatment (Flickinger, Saha, Moore, and Beach, 2013). Substance use behaviors are linked with lower rates of engagement with care and medication adherence (Horvath, Carrico, Simoni, Boyer, Amico, and Petroli, 2013). This study is a secondary data analysis using a cross-sectional design from a larger randomized controlled trial () that investigated the efficacy of a self-care symptom management manual for participants living with HIV. Participants were recruited from countries of Africa and the US. This study provides evidence that substance use is linked with lower self-reported engagement with care and adherence to therapy. Data on substance use and engagement are presented. Clinical implications of the study address the importance of utilizing health care system and policy factors to improve engagement with care.This project was supported in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIHUL1 RR024131, NIHT32NR007081, NIH KL2RR024990, NIH R15NR011130, International Pilot Award, University of Washington Center for AIDS Research, University of Washington, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia School of Nursing Helen Shore Fund, Duke University School of Nursing Office of Research Affairs, MGH Institute of Health Professions, Rutgers College of Nursing, City University of New York, Irwin Belk Distinguished Professorship Fund, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Texas A&M University—Corpus Christi, College of Nursing and Health Sciences. The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH or any other funders