| Title | Development and assessment of an innovative culturally sensitive educational videotape to improve adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in Soweto, South Africa. |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 2006 |
| Authors | Wong, Ilene Y., Nicholas V. Lawrence, Helen Struthers, James McIntyre, and Gerald H. Friedland |
| Journal | Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) |
| Volume | 43 Suppl 1 |
| Pagination | S142-8 |
| Date Published | 2006 Dec 1 |
| ISSN | 1525-4135 |
| Keywords | Adolescent, Adult, Anti-HIV Agents, Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active, Female, HIV Infections, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Compliance, Patient Education as Topic, South Africa, Videotape Recording |
| Abstract | The increasing availability of antiretroviral medication (ARV) therapy in the face of limited chronic medication-taking experience among resource-poor South Africans has raised concerns about adequate adherence to these medications. We hypothesized that a culturally sensitive audiovisual patient education program would be of substantial and measurable benefit in increasing patient understanding of the concepts of ARV resistance risk and medication-taking skills. To identify potential barriers to adherence and successful strategies to promote adherence, 6 focus groups with health care providers and HIV-positive adherence counselors were held, resulting in the production of a 17-minute culturally sensitive educational videotape. Basic drug-taking concepts and practical advice on how to improve adherence were presented in the videotape. Thirty-four HIV-positive patients (including 11 ARV-naive patients and 23 ARV-experienced patients) were shown the educational videotape, and their knowledge about medication taking was evaluated by a 24-point pre- and postvideotape questionnaire. On average, the 34 patients gained 2.2 knowledge points (P = 0.021). ARV-naive patients had an average improvement of 3.0 points (P = 0.0028), with most significant gains in the areas of understanding medication-taking strategies and side effects. These preliminary findings indicate that a culturally sensitive educational videotape can improve medication-taking knowledge in South Africa and that further study of the potential efficacy of using media technology to improve individuals' adherence to ARV therapy is warranted. |
| DOI | 10.3109/00952990.2011.568081 |
| Alternate Journal | J. Acquir. Immune Defic. Syndr. |
