BACKGROUND: Ethnic diversity is increasingly encountered in the HIV-infected population in North America, and it is unknown if beliefs surrounding illness and treatment vary among different ethnic groups. OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to determine whether self-reported adherence, illness perceptions and treatment beliefs regarding HIV differ based on ethnicity. SETTING: This study was conducted during outpatient HIV clinic visits between March 1, 2010 and April 30, 2010 at two hospital-based clinics in Edmonton, AB, Canada. METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 65 patients on antiretroviral therapy (34 Caucasian, 23 Aboriginal, and 8 from other ethnic groups) attending hospital-based clinics completed a self-administered survey; medical records were reviewed for demographic and treatment information. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: An ANOVA with covariates was performed to measure variation of beliefs and adherence between ethnic groups. RESULTS: Mean self-reported adherence in the past week and past month was high (96 %) and the majority of patients (78.5 %) had a viral load <40 copies/mL. Patients had high perceived necessity scores and a low degree of perceived concern with antiretroviral therapy. In our study, treatment beliefs, illness perceptions, and self-reported adherence did not vary between ethnicities (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment beliefs, illness perceptions, and adherence appear to be largely similar in English-speaking patients with diverse ethnic backgrounds who have been on treatment for at least 3 months. Strong supports may overcome any cultural differences in treatment beliefs that were expected at the outset.
BACKGROUND: Ethnic diversity is increasingly encountered in the HIV-infected population in North America, and it is unknown if beliefs surrounding illness and treatment vary among different ethnic groups. OBJECTIVE: Our objectives were to determine whether self-reported adherence, illness perceptions and treatment beliefs regarding HIV differ based on ethnicity. SETTING: This study was conducted during outpatient HIV clinic visits between March 1, 2010 and April 30, 2010 at two hospital-based clinics in Edmonton, AB, Canada. METHODS: A cross-sectional sample of 65 patients on antiretroviral therapy (34 Caucasian, 23 Aboriginal, and 8 from other ethnic groups) attending hospital-based clinics completed a self-administered survey; medical records were reviewed for demographic and treatment information. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: An ANOVA with covariates was performed to measure variation of beliefs and adherence between ethnic groups. RESULTS: Mean self-reported adherence in the past week and past month was high (96 %) and the majority of patients (78.5 %) had a viral load <40 copies/mL. Patients had high perceived necessity scores and a low degree of perceived concern with antiretroviral therapy. In our study, treatment beliefs, illness perceptions, and self-reported adherence did not vary between ethnicities (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Treatment beliefs, illness perceptions, and adherence appear to be largely similar in English-speaking patients with diverse ethnic backgrounds who have been on treatment for at least 3 months. Strong supports may overcome any cultural differences in treatment beliefs that were expected at the outset.
Authors: Jesse D Raffa; Harout K Tossonian; Jason Grebely; A John Petkau; Stanley DeVlaming; Brian Conway Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2008-03-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: V E Stone; J W Hogan; P Schuman; A M Rompalo; A A Howard; C Korkontzelou; D K Smith Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2001-10-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: C A Kleeberger; J P Phair; S A Strathdee; R Detels; L Kingsley; L P Jacobson Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2001-01-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Angela D Thrasher; Jo Anne L Earp; Carol E Golin; Catherine R Zimmer Journal: J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Date: 2008-09-01 Impact factor: 3.731
Authors: Robert Horne; Deanna Buick; Martin Fisher; Heather Leake; Vanessa Cooper; John Weinman Journal: Int J STD AIDS Date: 2004-01 Impact factor: 1.359