Research utilization is not without difficulty. This study examined the fidelity of a 12 week telephone intervention based on social cognitive theory designed to enhance medication adherence in persons with HIV prescribed antiretroviral therapy. This study used the 99 subjects randomized to intervention from a randomized controlled trial testing the effectiveness of an adherence intervention over time (1R01 NR04749). The sample included 66 males (66.7%). Slightly more than half (54.5%) were white. The average age was 39.68±7.98 years. Subjects completed 13.09±2.30 years of formal education. The number of intervention sessions delivered was 7.86±4.32. Twenty (20.2%) subjects dropped out of treatment before it was completed; of those 20 subjects seven received no treatment. Forty-two received all 12 sessions. Subjects were more likely to receive the first five intervention sessions. Less than half received the last three sessions. Nearly one-third had interventions "doubled up" (two sessions were delivered during the same call). In one instance a later session was delivered before an earlier session. The time between sessions ranged from 5.3-11.5 days. Interventions ranged between 10.5-15.4 minutes. Interventionists contacted subjects more than one time to deliver an intervention with the number of attempts to contact ranging from 1.7-2.7. Clearly, the planned protocol was not followed in regard to number of sessions delivered and length of time between sessions. The intervention was designed as 12 weekly sessions with each session averaging 15-20 minutes. While the interventionist scheduled a day and time for the next intervention, instances occurred when the subject was unavailable, additional attempts to contact were made, and the intervention was missed or "doubled up" at the next session. A 12 week intervention is possibly too long; some sessions may be unnecessary, particularly for all individuals. Sessions may need to be individualized according to a person's needs and life situation.
Session #1219 - Poster Session I
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)