STRUCTURE OF A COGNITIVE ABILITY BATTERY AMONG HIV+ INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS EVALUATED IN A STUDY OF MEDICATION ADHERENCE

Abstract

Several cognitive domains are important determinants of medication adherence in individuals treated for HIV infection. This study investigated via confirmatory factor analysis the structure of cognitive abilities in a group of HIV+ intravenous drug users administered a battery of neuropsychological measures. It also investigated the relation of dimensions of cognition to demographic, mood, and immune system status measures. The hypothesized model of cognitive abilities fit the data well. Path analyses showed that demographic variables, mood, and measures of immune status were related to cognitive ability dimensions. This model may be useful in guiding selection of assessment instruments in future studies.

Keywords:

• cognition
• confirmatory factor analysis
• HIV
• intravenous drug use
• patient compliance
• path analysis