Psychosocial aspects of antiretroviral medication use among HIV patients.

This study examines variables related to alteration of antiretroviral medication regimens by HIV infected persons, independent of medical advice. Perceived severity, susceptibility, benefits/barriers, cues to action, and locus of control were included in the analyses. Of 99 subjects, 37 reported discontinuing antiretrovirals on their own initiative and 36 subjects ('fiddlers') reported recent alterations in their medication regimens. Subjects who reported greater perceived barriers and pessimism and less faith in the ability of antiretrovirals to protect them from AIDS related illness were more likely to discontinue drug therapy. Fiddlers were more pessimistic and perceived more barriers to drug therapy than compliers, who believed more in the benefits of antiretrovirals. Fiddlers were significantly more internally oriented than were discontinuers. Compliers were the most optimistic about the effect of antiretrovirals. Even though compliers were more symptomatic than discontinuers, they reported their health status to be better than did discontinuers.