The Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Model of ART Adherence in Romanian Young Adults

Abstract

Developing theory-driven and culturally appropriate support for treatment adherence is critical to positive health outcomes in adolescents and emerging adults living with HIV/AIDS. Romanian young long-time HIV survivors represent a special population requiring urgent assessment of specific adherence-support needs. The authors adapted the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of adherence to this population via thematic analysis of data from focus groups with service users and medical professionals. In addition to adherence-relevant themes identified in previous IMB-model research, new themes such as the role of informational conflicts, long-term goals and altruistic motivation emerged as important factors in this sample of long-term nosocomially infected young adults.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• highly active antiretroviral therapy
• medication adherence
• young adult
• qualitative research
• Eastern Europe