Peer-reviewed article
The role of family factors in antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence self-efficacy among HIV-infected adolescents in southern Uganda
Proscovia Nabunya, Ozge Sensoy Bahar, Bin Chen, Daji Dvalishvili, Christopher Damulira et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined how family factors influence HIV treatment adherence confidence in adolescents living with HIV in southern Uganda. Researchers analyzed data from 12- to 14-year-old participants in an economic empowerment program, measuring family cohesion, communication between children and caregivers, and perceived support. The findings show that stronger family cohesion and better communication between children and caregivers are significantly associated with greater confidence in taking HIV medications as prescribed.
Key points
- Family cohesion showed the strongest association with ART adherence self-efficacy (β = 0.397, p = 0.000)
- Child-caregiver communication was also significantly associated with adherence self-efficacy (β = 0.118, p = 0.026)
- Study participants had an average age of 12.4 years, with 56.4% female
- Average household size was 5.7 people with 2.3 adults over 18 years
- The study controlled for sociodemographic and household characteristics in the analysis
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional analysis that identifies associations but cannot establish causation or show whether family factors directly lead to better treatment adherence behavior. The study measures self-efficacy (confidence) rather than actual medication adherence or health outcomes.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Adolescents living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are a vulnerable group at the intersection of poverty and health disparities. The family is a vital microsystem that provides financial and emotional support to achieve optimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. In this study, we explore the association between family factors and ART adherence self-efficacy, a significant psychological concept playing a critical role in ART adherence. METHODS: Data from an NIH-funded study called Suubi + Adherence, an economic empowerment intervention for HIV positive adolescents (average age = 12.4 years) in southern Uganda was analyzed. We conducted multilevel regression analyses to explore the protective family factors, measured by family cohesion, child-caregiver communication and perceived child-caregiver support, associated with ART adherence self-efficacy. RESULTS: The average age was 12.4 years and 56.4% of participants were female. The average household size was 5.7 people, with 2.3 children> 18 years. Controlling for sociodemographic and household characteristics, family cohesion (β = 0.397, p = 0.000) and child-caregiver communication (β = 0.118, p = 0.026) were significantly associated with adherence self-efficacy to ART. CONCLUSION: Findings point to the need to strengthen family cohesion and communication within families if we are to enhance adherence self-efficacy among adolescents living with HIV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT01790373) on 13 February 2013.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Economic empowerment intervention (Suubi + Adherence) combined with measurement of family cohesion, child-caregiver communication, and perceived support
- Population
- HIV-positive adolescents (average age 12.4 years, 56.4% female) in southern Uganda
Key finding
Family cohesion significantly associated with ART adherence self-efficacy (β = 0.397, p = 0.000)
Nabunya et al. · Prof. Fred M. Ssewamala (OpenAlex works) · 17 Mar 2020