Evaluation of a brief low-cost intervention to improve antiretroviral treatment decisions

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 15; no. 5; pp. 681 - 687
• Main Authors: Grusky, O., Marelich, W. D., Erger, J., Mann, T., Johnston Roberts, K., Neil Steers, W., Damesyn, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.10.2003; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adult; AIDS; AIDS/HIV; Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Antiretroviral therapy; Audiovisual Aids; Biological and medical sciences; Caregivers - education; Decision Making; Drug therapy; Education, Medical; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; HIV; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV Seropositivity - drug therapy; HIV Seropositivity - psychology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Intervention; Interventions; Knowledge; Male; Medical Decision Making; Medical sciences; Medications; Middle Aged; Patient Education as Topic; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Program Evaluation; Risk Factors; Time Factors; USA; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; United States; North America; America; Human; Immunopathology; Sanitary program; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Knowledge; Infection; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Attitude change; Viral disease; Antiviral; Treatment compliance
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540120310001595168

An earlier pilot study found that US DHHS guidelines for antiretroviral treatment were not being successfully implemented (Mann et al., 2000). A brief and inexpensive intervention (visual aid checklist) was developed with the assistance of HIV-expert physicians in order to aid HIV/AIDS health care providers' and their patients' decisions about antiretroviral therapy. The visual aid checklist consisted of a two-page coloured diagram and explanation of key concepts (T-cell, viral load and resistance) and a checklist of the benefits and risks of antiretroviral therapy. Twenty adult HIVpositive subjects and eight health care providers were studied. Ten subjects were observed with their providers without the intervention being used, and then ten subjects were observed with the intervention. A pre-/post-test format was used to assess the patients' antiretroviral knowledge, patient-provider discussion of the DHHS guidelines, and provider satisfaction with the intervention. No differences in baseline HIV knowledge were found between the two groups. Results showed that patients in the intervention condition had greater knowledge of the benefits and risks of antiretroviral therapy than patients in the control condition. Providers reported that the intervention was useful in aiding and encouraging communication as well as conveying knowledge.