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- Title
ETHICAL DILEMMA RELATED TO THERAPEUTIC NONADHERENCE OF HIV YOUTH.
- Authors
Arbune, Manuela; Potârnichie, Oana-Mirela; Păsărin, Liliana; Mârţu, Silvia
- Abstract
The antiretroviral therapy (ART) is not a cure for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), but the benefits of ART are undeniable for the quality of life and survival of HIV patients. Universal access to HIV prevention and treatment are stipulated by international laws, but the number of patients who need ART exceeds the current financial resources. Adherence is a controversial ethical issue for ART recommendation. The peculiarity of Romanian HIV epidemic was the high proportion of pediatric infections long living with HIV. In order to improve the efficacy of ART in HIV infected youth from Galati -- Romania, we performed a cross-sectional study of adherence. Adherence was assessed by self-reported questionnaire, nurses' reports and blood HIV viral load (VL). Adherence was self-reported by 72,4% patients and was confirmed by 66,2% nurses' reports and 55,5% therapeutic viral response. The nonadherent profile is related to male sex, alcohol use, previous ART experience over 24 months and emotional immaturity. The educational level influences the perception of social relationships, but not the adherence. The proportion of nonadherence is higher in the group with acceptance relationship, compared with the nonchalance social relationship. Scores under 18 of emotional intelligence (EQS) assessed by Friedmann scale correlate with nonadherence. Low EQS is a barrier of adherence and accounts for the high vulnerability of Romanian HIV youth. Multidisciplinary supporting programs are necessary to improve the adherence of vulnerable HIV youth.
- Subjects
ANTIRETROVIRAL agents; HIV; HIV-positive persons; QUALITY of life; INFECTION in children
- Publication
Revista Romana de Bioetica, 2014, Vol 12, Issue 1, p72
- ISSN
1583-5170
- Publication type
Article