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Delays In Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among Hiv-Positive Individuals: Results Of The Positive Living With Hiv Study, Krishna C. Poudel, David R. Buchanan, Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar

Krishna C. Poudel

Background: Lack of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a major health concern due to increased risk of premature mortality and further HIV transmission. This study explored CD4+ cell count monitoring in relation to delays in ART initiation among HIV-positive individuals in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, where ART coverage was only 23.7% in 2011.

Design: We recruited a total of 87 ART-naïve, HIV-positive individuals aged 18 to 60 years through the networks of five non-government organizations working with HIV-positive individuals. We collected data on the history of ART initiation, CD4+ cell count monitoring, socio-demographic variables, perceived family …

Perceived Family Support And Antiretroviral Adherence In Hiv-Positive Individuals: Results From A Community-Based Positive Living With Hiv Study, Krishna Poudel, David Buchanan, Rachel Amiya, Kalpana Poudel-Tandukar

Krishna C. Poudel

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between perceived family support, either positive or negative, and adherence to antiretroviral medication regimens among HIV-positive individuals in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. We measured past 3-month antiretroviral adherence among 233 HIV-positive individuals, in relation to perceived family support, both positive (in terms of emotional and instrumental support) and negative (in the form of negative interactions), using the 10-item Nepali Family Support and Difficulty Scale. Medium and high levels of perceived emotional support from family were associated with reduced risk of antiretroviral nonadherence, compared with low levels of perceived emotional support …