1. A systematic review of pediatric adherence to antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries.
- Author
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Vreeman RC, Wiehe SE, Pearce EC, and Nyandiko WM
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Child, Child, Preschool, Developing Countries, HIV-1 drug effects, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Surveys and Questionnaires, Anti-HIV Agents therapeutic use, HIV Infections drug therapy, Income classification, Patient Compliance statistics & numerical data, Poverty
- Abstract
Background: Sustaining antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence requires accurate, consistent monitoring, a particular challenge for low-income countries. The optimal strategy to measure pediatric adherence remains unclear., Objective: To conduct a systematic review of pediatric ART adherence measurement techniques, adherence estimates, and clinical correlates in low- and middle-income countries to inform ART adherence monitoring., Methods: We searched online bibliographic databases, including MEDLINE and EMBASE, using systematic criteria. Two reviewers selected all descriptive or interventional studies involving nonpregnant, HIV-positive individuals < or =18 years old that measured ART adherence in low- or middle-income countries as defined by World Bank criteria. Data were extracted regarding sample characteristics, study setting, measurement strategy, adherence estimate, and adherence correlates., Results: The search yielded 1566 titles, of which 17 met selection criteria. Adherence measurement strategies included self- or proxy-report measures (14 studies), pill counts (4 studies), pharmacy records, drug levels, clinic adherence, and directly observed therapy (1 study each). The self- or proxy-report measures were heterogeneous, and few employed validation strategies. Caregiver-reported adherence was generally higher than self-report estimates. Pill counts revealed lower adherence estimates. Estimates of ART adherence ranged from 49% to 100%, with 76% of articles reporting >75% adherence. Factors related to family structure, socioeconomic status, disclosure, and medication regimen were all significantly associated with ART adherence., Conclusions: Pediatric HIV care programs in low- and middle-income countries use heterogeneous methods to measure ART adherence. Adherence estimates vary substantially, but most studies from low- and middle-income countries report >75% adherence, whereas most studies from high-income countries report <75% adherence.
- Published
- 2008
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