Typology of Adherence in Adolescents: Phase II

A cross-sectional, observational study designed to assess the most prevalent combination of barriers to HIV medication adherence in adolescents, such as mental health disorders, substance abuse, and cognitive-behavioral and structural barriers. This was the second phase of a two-phase study. Findings from Phase I led to pilot testing and modification of two instruments: the Adherence Staging Algorithm and the Participant Assessment tool. In Phase II, these instruments were used to determine the prevalence of specific barriers to adherence among HIV infected youth requiring antiretroviral medication and the most common clusters of these barriers. Development of a validated cognitive-behavioral barriers schema for classifying HIV medication adherence in adolescents was also explored.