Outcomes of a health education intervention in a sample of patients infected by HIV, most of them injection drug users: Possibilities and limitations.

Resumen

We studied the receptivity of a population of HIV-infected patients to the development of a group educational intervention in order to enhance the adherence to therapy. We designed a group educational activity conducted by family physicians and directed to patients with HIV infection treated with antiretrovirals for at least six months. We conducted a randomized trial that compared two interventions: an educational intervention plus individual counsel or the last option alone. We studied their clinical situation, adherence to therapy and familial support. We offered 115 patients (66.9% injection drug users (IDUs), 69.6% males) the opportunity to be included in our trial, but 73.9% of them refused. No group with four or more participants was formed. Fifty-nine per cent refused to be included claiming personal reasons and 32.9% cited trouble in their jobs. There was a non-significant trend to accept in the case of women ( p = 0.19), patients with AIDS ( p = 0.11) and non-adherent patients ( p = 0.08). This trend was significant in the group of women with AIDS ( p = 0.01) and non-adherent women ( p = 0.05). We concluded that HIV-infected patients, mainly IDUs, are not receptive to group educational programmes. The design of future interventions must take into account the patients' characteristics.

Descripción

This project has been economically supported by the Sanitary Investigation Fund (Fis Exp: 0339/99).

Citación

Martín, J., Sabugal, G. M., Rubio, R., Sainz-Maza, M., Blanco, J. M., Alonso, J. L., & Domínguez, J. (2001). Outcomes of a health education intervention in a sample of patients infected by HIV, most of them injection drug users: Possibilities and limitations. AIDS Care, 13(4), 467–473. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540120120057996