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Relationship of race-, sexual orientation-, and HIV-related discrimination with adherence to HIV treatment: a pilot study

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Abstract

Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) must be close to perfect in order to maintain suppression of HIV viral load, and to prevent the development of drug resistant strains of HIV. People living with HIV (PLWH) often report low levels of adherence. One variable that has been linked to poor adherence is perceived discrimination; however, research has generally not considered the possible unique effects of different types of discrimination on adherence. The present pilot study aimed to examine the association of three types of discrimination (due to HIV+ status, race, or sexual orientation) with adherence among 57 PLWH. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to demonstrate the relationships between each type of discrimination and self-reported adherence. Racial discrimination significantly predicted lower adherence levels, whereas sexual orientation- and HIV-related discrimination did not. Results underscore the importance of addressing discrimination issues, specifically racial, when designing interventions to improve adherence to HAART.

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Acknowledgments

Preparation of this manuscript was supported by NIMH Grants R34 MH 71201 (DLD), R34 MH 73014 (DLD), and R01 MH072351 (LMB); Center Grant U48/DP000056 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (LMB); and Center Grant CH05-618 from the California HIV/AIDS Research Program (LMB). Funding for this study was provided by the Center for the Treatment and Study of Traumatic Stress, Akron, OH and the Kent State University/Farris Family Innovation Fund for Early Achievement Strategic Scholarship.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Kent State University, 144 Kent Hall, Kent, OH, 44240, USA

    Jessica M. Boarts, Melanie A. Tabak, Aaron P. Armelie & Douglas L. Delahanty

  2. RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, USA

    Laura M. Bogart

  3. Department of Psychology in Psychiatry, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM), Rootstown, OH, USA

    Douglas L. Delahanty

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  1. Jessica M. Boarts
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  2. Laura M. Bogart
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  3. Melanie A. Tabak
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  4. Aaron P. Armelie
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  5. Douglas L. Delahanty
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Correspondence to Douglas L. Delahanty.

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Boarts, J.M., Bogart, L.M., Tabak, M.A. et al. Relationship of race-, sexual orientation-, and HIV-related discrimination with adherence to HIV treatment: a pilot study. J Behav Med 31, 445–451 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-008-9169-0

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