Family Dynamics, Mental Health Can Influence Young Patients With HIV To Maintain ART Adherence, Review Finds

American Journal of Managed Care (4/29, Bonavitacola) reports that a systemic review found that “young individuals living with HIV can be influenced to maintain their adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) by their family dynamics and their mental health.” Researchers included 36 US-based studies in the review. They found that “caregivers being in charge of administering treatment resulted in greater adherence. Higher viral load was associated with caregivers having difficulty in administering the medication or those who had lower knowledge. A support system was found to be vital in individuals starting and maintaining their treatment.” In addition, “Some participants were also less likely to take their medication when they felt it affected their social life. Nonadherence to the medication could also be brought upon by parents if the parents do not adhere to their medication.” The review was published in AIDS and Behavior.