The most common reason for non-adherence in this cohort was “too many pills,” suggesting that finding simple regimens with low pill burdens are important to youth. Interventions to promote long-term adherence to antiretroviral treatment have not been rigorously evaluated in adolescents.
Preliminary data suggest that interventions based on the stages of change model which assesses adolescents’ readiness to adhere to medications may be effective (Rogers et. al., 2001).
An intervention approach involving both family and peers to increase adherence in HIV positive youth appears to be effective (Trexler et. al.)