England
Research Article
Clinic-Based Food Assistance is Associated with Increased Medication Adherence among HIV-Infected Adults on Long-Term Antiretroviral
Therapy in Zambia
Author(s): Nyasha Tirivayi, John R Koethe and Wim GrootNyasha Tirivayi, John R Koethe and Wim Groot
Background: There has been limited research to date on the effects of food assistance provided to HIV-infected adults in resource-constrained settings with a high prevalence of malnutrition and chronic food insecurity. We compare Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence, weight gain, and CD4+ lymphocyte change among HIV-infected adult enrolled in a clinic-based food assistance program in Lusaka, Zambia versus a control group of non-recipients. Methods: We conducted a cohort study incorporating interviewer-administered surveys and retrospective clinical data to compare ART patients receiving food assistance with a control group of non-recipients. Medication adherence was assessed using pharmacy dispensation records. We use propensity score matching to assess the effect of food assistance on outcome measures. Results: After 6 months, food assistance recipients (n=145) had higher ART adher.. Read More»
DOI:
10.4172/2155-6113.1000171
Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research received 5061 citations as per Google Scholar report