Peer-reviewed article
The effect of family support on self‐reported adherence to ART among adolescents perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda: A mediation analysis
Proscovia Nabunya, Samuel Kizito, Fred M. Ssewamala ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study looked at how family support helps adolescents in Uganda who were born with HIV take their antiretroviral medicines regularly. Using data from over 700 young people aged 10-16, researchers found that family support improved medicine adherence indirectly, mainly by helping young people develop positive attitudes about their treatment and by improving communication with their guardians. The findings suggest that strategies to strengthen family support and communication between adolescents and caregivers could help them stick to their HIV treatment.
Key points
- Family support had a significant indirect effect on adherence (β = .112, p < .001)
- The effect worked partly through improved saving attitudes (β = .058, p = .024) and better communication with guardians (β = .056, p = .013)
- Mediation pathways explained 76.7% of the total effect of family support on adherence
- Total effect of family support on adherence was statistically significant (β = .146, p = .012)
- Study included 702 adolescent boys and girls aged 10-16 years
Limitations
The study relies on self-reported adherence data, which may not accurately reflect actual medication-taking behaviour. The analysis identifies associations and pathways but cannot establish causation, and findings may not generalize beyond the Ugandan context.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: This study examined the mechanisms through which family support affects self-reported adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda. METHODS: Longitudinal data from 702 adolescent boys and girls (10-16 years) were analyzed. Structural equation models were conducted to assess the direct, indirect, and total effects of family support on adherence. RESULTS: Results showed a significant indirect effect of family support on adherence (β = .112, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.052-0.173, p < .001). Specific indirect effects of family support through saving attitudes (β = .058, 95% CI: 0.008-0.108, p = .024), and communication with the guardian (β = .056, 95% CI: 0.012-0.100), p = .013), as well as the total effect of family support on adherence (β = .146 (95% CI: 0.032-0.259, p = .012), were statistically significant. Mediation contributed 76.7% of the total effects. CONCLUSION: Findings support strategies to help promote family support and strengthen open communication between adolescents living with HIV and their caregivers.
Findings the Hub has extracted
Each claim below is labelled by its type of design and links back to this report.
- Intervention
- Family support, with mechanisms including fostering saving attitudes and improving communication between adolescents and guardians
- Population
- 702 adolescent boys and girls aged 10-16 years perinatally infected with HIV in Uganda
Key finding
Significant indirect effect of family support on adherence (β = .112, 95% CI: 0.052-0.173, p < .001)
Nabunya et al. · Prof. Fred M. Ssewamala (OpenAlex works) · 22 Feb 2023