ZIDOVUDINE ADHERENCE AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH HIV-INFECTION

The objective was to investigate the relationships among health belief s, attitudes, and zidovudine compliance in individuals with HIV infect ion. A survey was administered to 52 individuals with HIV infection. T he survey items, which reflected concerns expressed about zidovudine, were generated based on barriers to and benefits of zidovudine and the perceived susceptibility to and perceived severity of HIV as describe d by the health belief model (HEM). These items were expressed as atti tudes and beliefs. Items were subjected to factor analysis, and survey results were correlated with laboratory data to predict adherence to their prescribed medication-taking regimen. Data indicated that 42.3% of the subjects were compliant with zidovudine. Factor analysis identi fied four dimensions: problems taking and scepticism about zidovudine; degree of concern about HIV perceived severity of HIV and physical ba rriers to taking zidovudine. Logistic regression analysis (forward con ditional entry) identified those who were having problems caking zidov udine and who were sceptical about its effectiveness, and ethnicity as significant independent predictors of compliance, correctly classifyi ng 75% of cases (p < 0.01). The fact that subjects who have problems t aking zidovudine or are sceptical about the value of zidovudine are le ss compliant, and that this dimension is a significant predictor of co mpliance, suggests that non-compliance is related to attitudes and bel iefs about zidovudine. This is consistent with the HEM, which holds th at the balance between barriers and benefits of a health-related behav iour are significant determinants of outcome.