ART adherence information, motivation, and behaviors and provider-patient relationships among new ART patients in Haiti

Abstract

Background: Previous research suggests that communication between provider and patient is associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among patients with HIV. Haiti has scaled up the use of ART, but studies suggest low adherence which threatens long-term viral suppression and risks treatment failure to first line regimens. Objective: This cross-sectional, descriptive study assesses baseline questionnaire data from new ART patients at two large treatment sites in Haiti and observation data of clinic visits. This study describes patients’ communication with their provider; and their information, motivation, and behavioral skills and beliefs in medicine related to ART in the Haitian context. It also assesses the association between the perceived quality of patient-provider communication with those variables. Results: Patients reported high information and behavioral skills for ART adherence as well as high belief in the necessity of medicine. The results suggest patient-provider communication is associated with adherence related information and motivation as well as beliefs in medicine but not with behavioral skills. This research provides the baseline for a provider-based intervention to reduce the incidence of ART treatment failure in Haiti.