Appreciating Reasons for Nonadherence in Women

Women aged 15–24 years have an HIV infection rate twice that of men the same age. In this study we examined reasons why HIV-infected women taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) report missing HIV medications. Women (N = 206) on ART were 2.2 times more likely to endorse reasons pertaining to forgetfulness versus reasons pertaining to problems taking pills (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.63, 2.94, p <.001). There was a difference between the adherent and nonadherent groups in types of reasons overall (p <.001, 95% CI = –3.82, –2.03). Using a patient-centered approach to understand type of nonadherence (intentional vs. unintentional) may support development of novel interventions.