The State of Adherence to HIV Care in Black Women

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2018 Jul-Aug;29(4):487-503. doi: 10.1016/j.jana.2018.02.008. Epub 2018 Feb 21.

Abstract

The purpose of this systematic review was to assess the state of adherence to HIV care such as HIV medication and appointment adherence among Black women in the United States. After a systematic search of CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, and clinicialtrials.gov, 26 studies and two ongoing trials met inclusion criteria. Psychosocial factors such as intersectional stigmas and depression were among the salient factors associated with adherence-to-care behaviors in women living with HIV (WLWH). In addition, interpersonal factors such as social support and the patient-provider relationship were frequently associated with adherence-to-care behaviors. No culturally relevant interventions for Black WLWH were found in the literature, but one ongoing trial that was developed specifically for Black WLWH seemed promising. Considering the dearth of tailored interventions, more gender-specific and culturally relevant interventions are urgently needed to improve adherence-to-care behaviors and optimize health outcomes for Black WLWH.

Keywords: African American; HIV; adherence; female; retention in care; systematic review.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / ethnology
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Humans
  • Medication Adherence / psychology*
  • Retention in Care*
  • Social Stigma

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents