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The current study concerns an integrated behavioral intervention designed to enhance the use of HIV treatment as prevention by improving medication adherence, reducing risks for other STDs, and minimizing risk compensation beliefs. The authors conducted a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the intervention.A total of 436 persons with HIV/AIDS participated in the trial, which compared the intensive behavioral intervention with an attention control condition. The researchers used unannounced pill counts to monitor adherence to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy. Computerized interviews were used to assess risk behaviors.
The findings indicated that the intervention demonstrated increased ARV adherence and less unprotected sex with nonseroconcordant partners at three- and six-month follow-ups, and fewer new STDs diagnosed over the nine-month follow-up period (adjusted odds ratio=3.0; P<.05; 95 percent confidence interval=1.01, 9.04). In addition, the intervention decreased behavioral risk compensation beliefs.
"A theory-based integrated behavioral intervention can improve HIV treatment adherence and reduce HIV transmission risks," the authors concluded. "HIV treatment as prevention should be bundled with behavioral interventions to maximize effectiveness."
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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