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The reality of treatment adherence for NSW’s most marginalized people living with HIV (PLWH): an analysis of factors affecting adherence and the impact of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation’s (BGF) financial assistance on adherence

The reality of treatment adherence for NSW’s most marginalized people living with HIV (PLWH): an analysis of factors affecting adherence and the impact of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation’s (BGF) financial assistance on adherence

Over the last decade, Australia has experienced a rise in new HIV diagnoses due to heterosexual transmission in people from CALD backgrounds. Yet there are no systems for assessing HIV knowledge and sexual risk behaviour in this population. We report the findings of a HIV community-based survey among people from CALD communities in NSW in 2012.

Results: 88% of the respondents were male, 11% female and 1% transgender. 30% were born overseas and 4% were indigenous. 5% were homeless and 47% had a diagnosed mental illness. Participant’s self-reporting on adherence varied, with a number of participants reporting 100% adherence when they had ‘only’ missed taking their medication a few times during the month. Age, gender, ethnicity and AOD use were associated with adherence levels and participants ability to follow their doctor’s instructions. The most common reasons participants gave for missing their ARTs were forgetting, being too busy and changing their routine. Participants who were indigenous, were homeless, had frequent AOD use and / or had low literacy rates were most reliant on BGF’s copayment of ARTs to maintain adherence.

Conclusion: Rates of adherence amongst NSW’s most vulnerable PLWH are considerably lower than average adherence rates. BGF’s assistance with the copayment of ARTs is vital for maintaining some level of adherence amongst marginalised PLWH however organisations working with PLWH need to address the other barriers to adherence amongst these populations for treatment as prevention to be fully effective.

Speakers: Emily Ninnes
Areas of Interest / Categories: Australian Society for HIV 2015

Australian Society for HIV 2015

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