Patient, Caregiver and Regimen Characteristics Associated With Adherence to Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Among HIV-Infected Children and Adolescents

Abstract

Medication adherence among HIV-infected children is lower than required for optimal viral suppression. Adherence is related to surrogate markers of HIV disease but not to child or caregiver demographic variables. Responsibilities for medication-related tasks should be clarified among family members, regimen knowledge should be emphasized and caregivers should avoid assigning treatment responsibility to a child prematurely.