Age matters: differences in correlates of self-reported HIV antiretroviral treatment adherence between older and younger Black men who have sex with men living with HIV

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 31; no. 8; pp. 965 - 972
• Main Authors: Mutchler, Matt G., Bogart, Laura M., Klein, David J., Wagner, Glenn J., Klinger, Ian A., Tyagi, Keshav, McDavitt, Bryce
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 03-08-2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adherence; Adhesion; Adolescent; Adult; African Americans - statistics & numerical data; African Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology; African Continental Ancestry Group - psychology; African Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data; Age; Age differences; Age Factors; Aged; AIDS/HIV; Anti-HIV Agents - administration & dosage; Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use; Antiretroviral agents; Antiretroviral drugs; Antiretroviral therapy; antiretroviral therapy (ART); Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; ART adherence; Black men who have sex with men (BMSM); Drinking behavior; Ethnic groups; Gays & lesbians; Health care; HIV; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - ethnology; HIV Infections - psychology; Homosexuality; Homosexuality, Male - ethnology; Homosexuality, Male - psychology; Homosexuality, Male - statistics & numerical data; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Medication Adherence - ethnology; Medication Adherence - statistics & numerical data; Men who have sex with men; Mens health; Middle Aged; Minority & ethnic groups; Patient compliance; Self Report; Sexually transmitted diseases; Socioeconomic Factors; STD; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult; antiretroviral therapy (ART); Black men who have sex with men (BMSM); HIV; age; ART adherence
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1612020

Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) show lower levels of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV medications than other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. Yet, little is known about age differences in factors that predict ART adherence among BMSM. We combined data from two surveys of HIV-positive BMSM, resulting in 209 participants (130 aged 18-50 years; 79 aged 50 years or older). Multivariate linear regressions examined associations between baseline characteristics and adherence to HIV medications as well as interactions of baseline characteristics with age. The associations between trust in healthcare and doctor satisfaction ratings with higher adherence were stronger for older vs younger men (p < .05); the association between problem drinking and lower adherence was stronger among younger men (p < .05). Future research should examine how interventions may address these age-specific factors to improve ART adherence among BMSM living with HIV.