Abstract

ARRIVILLAGA QUINTERO, Marcela. Dimensions of treatment adherence among Colombian women living with HIV/AIDS: a social perspective. rev.latinoam.psicol. [online]. 2010, vol.42, n.2, pp.225-236. ISSN 0120-0534.

The purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the associations between social position and three dimensions of treatment adherence (practices, beliefs, barriers) and living conditions among Colombian women with HIV/Aids. A cross-sectional study with a descriptive correlational design was conducted with 269 women who completed a sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics Questionnaire, an Adherence to Treatment Questionnaire, and a Social Position Survey. Results indicated that approximately one out of two (43%) of the participants presented low adherence to treatment and that higher levels of adherence were associated with higher scores in the Social Position Survey. All variables in the "barriers and living conditions" dimension were associated with social position of the participants. Women with a middle or high social position had more favorable living conditions and less barriers for access and showed higher adherence to treatment in comparison with women with a low social position. Additionally, they showed better adherence "practices". Meanwhile, in the "beliefs" dimension, both groups showed similar trends. Overall, the study concluded that the concept of treatment adherence, as well as research projects and interventions with the goal of improving adherence to HIV/Aids treatment among women ought to incorporate a social perspective based on a gender approach and on the acknowledgement of the critical role played by the social position of women.

Keywords : treatment adherence; HIV/Aids; social position; gender role.

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