Exploring ART intake scenes in a human rights-based intervention to improve adherence: a randomized controlled trial

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases
• Psychosocial Interventions

Background:

• Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for managing HIV/AIDS.
• Psychosocial interventions may offer a strategy to improve treatment adherence.
• Limited research exists on human rights-based psychosocial interventions for ART adherence in Brazil.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a psychosocial intervention on ART adherence.
• To assess the impact of the intervention on viral load in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV).

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial was conducted in a Brazilian reference center.
• Participants (PLHIV with viral load >50 copies/ml) received either a human rights-based psychosocial intervention or usual care.
• Adherence was measured using MEMS caps over 24 weeks.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in ART adherence was observed between the intervention and control groups.
• Viral load decreased significantly in both groups (p < 0.0001), with no significant difference between groups.
• The study was underpowered due to a lower-than-expected number of eligible patients.

Conclusions:

• The psychosocial intervention, as implemented, did not improve ART adherence.
• Further qualitative analysis is needed to understand the trial outcomes.
• The study highlights the challenges of conducting clinical trials with limited participant numbers.