Diary study of adherence to antiretroviral therapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Diary study of adherence to antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV
IRAS ID
205834
Contact name
Delyth James
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 26 days
Research summary
This study will aim to explore factors that influence adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in people living with HIV. It hopes to contribute to the current literature through providing a greater understanding of the day-to-day factors that influence adherence to ART. This is important both to inform clinical practice and aid the development of interventions used to promote adherence.
Participants will be asked to complete a 14 day daily diary so that smaller and easily overlooked influences on behaviour (e.g. mood and daily hassles) that may impact adherence can be explored. The impact of moderating variables (big factors such as age or beliefs about treatment) on the relationship between day to day factors and adherence will also be examined. The moderating variables will be measured using an initial questionnaire (the initial questionnaire will be given to participants to complete at the start of the study, prior to completing the daily diary).
Eligible participants will be aged over 18, have a diagnosis of HIV and will be receiving antiretroviral therapy treatment. Participants will be recruited from the two NHS HIV services in Leeds and Bradford, and from the Leeds Skyline service (a charity providing support for individuals in Leeds who have HIV). Current patients and staff have been consulted about the proposed research and contributed to its development.
Within the literature it is acknowledged that adherence to treatment in HIV is not well understood. Research investigating the factors influencing adherence to antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV usually uses surveys and questionnaires. Although some have investigated patterns of adherence to ART over time, to our knowledge there are no studies using diaries to investigate patterns of adherence and the accounts of the patients themselves simultaneously over time.
REC name
North East - Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NE/0302
Date of REC Opinion
2 Sep 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion