Violence, Coping, and Consistent Medication Adherence in HIV-Positive Couples

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which intimate partner violence (IPV) influences antiretroviral medication adherence. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that adherence would differ for men and women based on degree of violence and coping strategies employed by each gender. A sample of HIV seroconcordant and serodiscordant heterosexual couples was recruited from the Miami area and assessed on rates of medication adherence, conflict resolution tactics, and coping strategies. Of these, 190 individual participants were prescribed antiretroviral medication. Baseline rates of adherence were 90.29% for men and 87.77% for women. Acts of violence were found to have negative effects on adherence for women but not for men. However, negative coping strategies were predictive of poor adherence for men but not women. Violence was found to be related to poor coping styles for both men and women. This study offers support for the inclusion of partners in conducting interventions. Furthermore, it underlines the importance of recognizing IPV as a barrier to medication adherence.

Factors Influencing Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV Infected Patients in Nyamagana-Mwanza, Northern Tanzania: A Cross Sectional Study

“…Also missing scheduled clinic visit and age of the patients, health care and system related changes [8,9,11] Stigma [12] distance from clinic as well as drugs side effects [9,12,13]. In Tanzania, the main barrier to adherence and retention reported was poverty [14] while in other settings intimate partner violence is also found to affect ART adherence though reported to have more impact on women than in men [15]. The initial or baseline assessment of adherence is therefore needed in order to understand the level of adherence before intervention and hence to prevent the future threat of widespread treatment resistant strains of HIV strains.…”

Substance Abuse, Violence, and HIV/AIDS (SAVA) Syndemic Effects on Viral Suppression Among HIV Positive Women of Color

“…10 Both alcohol and drug abuse are associated with poor ART adherence and viral suppression failure. [10][11][12] Approximately 55% of women living with HIV/AIDS have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). 13 A history of trauma, abuse, and violence for HIV-infected women is associated with decreased medication adherence, 9,11,12 and increased viral load.…”

“…[10][11][12] Approximately 55% of women living with HIV/AIDS have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). 13 A history of trauma, abuse, and violence for HIV-infected women is associated with decreased medication adherence, 9,11,12 and increased viral load. 13,14 Studies consistently document high prevalence of mental health disorders and symptomatology among HIV positive populations.…”

Implementing an Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) Screening Protocol in HIV Care

“…[23][24][25][26][27] Not only are victims of IPV more vulnerable to acquiring HIV infection, but also the presence of IPV negatively impacts their HIV care by delaying access to diagnosis and subsequent engagement in care, missed clinical appointments, non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy, increased all cause hospitalizations, and progression to AIDS. [28][29][30][31] The presence of HIV infection may increase the risk of subsequent IPV within a relationship. 32,33 Identifying HIV patients, who have suffered or are suffering from the effects of IPV, offers the potential for mitigating its negative effects on both their general as well as HIV health.…”