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Abstract
In the last 10 years HIV has become a disease that can be effectively managed using antiretroviral medications. However, many factors affect adherence, including demographics, income, housing, mental health issues, and access to health care, as well as types and quality of social support. This paper summarizes results regarding specific sources of social support that are part of a larger, randomized study of medication adherence among people with HIV/AIDS. Results summarize findings from 98 program participants and include information regarding support from partners, family and health care providers, as well as the impact of support from these sources on medication adherence. Among participants in this study, those with higher levels of social support from partners demonstrated higher rates of medication adherence. Those who received more social support from their families, however, reported significantly lower adherence rates. These results suggest that efforts to improve medication adherence need to address the diverse types of social support networks of people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.