HIV Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about HIV, including details on human immunodeficiency virus, testing, treatment, prevention, vaccines, aids.

The role of self-efficacy in HIV treatment adherence: validation of the HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES).

Johnson MO, Neilands TB, Dilworth SE, Morin SF, Remien RH, Chesney MA

Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California, 50 Beale Street, Suite 1300, San Francisco, CA 94105, US., Mallory.Johnson@ucsf.edu

Adherence to HIV treatment, including adherence to antiretroviral (ART) medication regimens, is paramount in the management of HIV. Self-efficacy for treatment adherence has been identified as an important correlate of medication adherence in the treatment of HIV and other medical conditions. This paper describes the validation of the HIV Treatment Adherence Self-Efficacy Scale (HIV-ASES) with two samples of HIV+ adults on ART. Factor analyses support subscales measuring Adherence Integration (eigenvalue=6.12) and Adherence Perseverance (eigenvalue=1.16), accounting for 61% of the variance in scale items. The HIV-ASES demonstrates robust internal consistency (rhos>.90) and 3-month (rs>.70) and 15-month (rs>.40) test-retest reliability. Concurrent validity analyses revealed relationships with psychosocial measures, ART adherence, clinical status, and healthcare utilization. Findings support the use of the HIV-ASES and provide guidance for further investigation of adherence self-efficacy in the context of treatment for HIV and other diseases.

Published 2 August 2007 in J Behav Med, 30(5): 359-70.
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