Initial Validation of the HIV Treatment Regimen Fatigue Scale for Adults Prescribed Antiretroviral Therapy

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2015 Jul-Aug;26(4):308-15. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2015.01.005. Epub 2015 Jan 30.

Abstract

Clinical observations have linked antiretroviral nonadherence to treatment regimen fatigue in persons living with HIV (PLWH). Although nonadherence appears to be a consequence of treatment regimen fatigue, little is known about the onset, course, and duration of this construct. Our study developed and evaluated psychometric properties of a measure of treatment regimen fatigue for PLWH. Based on a recent review, the concept was hypothesized to reflect decreased motivation, treatment cynicism, and low self-efficacy to adhere to treatment. Items comprising these factors were generated based on measures of similar constructs in the literature. Exploratory factor analyses suggested that a two-factor solution best fit the data and accounted for 35.8% of the variance. Our study supported a two-factor model of treatment regimen fatigue consisting of Treatment Cynicism and Self-Efficacy. The scale provides a new tool to assess treatment regimen fatigue in PLWH and can be used to inform and improve treatment of HIV.

Keywords: HIV; psychometrics; scale; treatment regimen fatigue.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / psychology*
  • Community Health Centers
  • Factor Analysis, Statistical
  • Fatigue / diagnosis*
  • Fatigue / psychology
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence / psychology*
  • Psychometrics
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Self Efficacy
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Surveys and Questionnaires*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents