Conspiracy Beliefs about HIV Infection Are Common But Not Associated with Delayed Diagnosis or Adherence to Care
- 1 September 2008
- journal article
- clinical trial
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in AIDS Patient Care and STDs
- Vol. 22 (9), 753-759
- https://doi.org/10.1089/apc.2007.0249
Abstract
We sought to determine the prevalence of HIV conspiracy beliefs in patients with HIV and how those beliefs correlate with access and adherence to HIV care and health outcomes. From March to December 2005, 113 patients at four public facilities in Houston, Texas, diagnosed with HIV for 3 years or less, participated in a cross-sectional survey. Conspiracy beliefs were assessed with five items that dealt with HIV origin, cure, and vaccine. Medical records were reviewed for CD4 cell counts, HAART use, and appointment dates. Statistical analyses (including analysis of variance [ANOVA], χ2 testing, and regression) determined the predictors of conspiracy beliefs and correlated them with outcomes. Sixty-three percent of the participants endorsed 1 or more conspiracy beliefs. African American patients more often held HIV conspiracy beliefs than white and other/mixed race patients (73%, 52%, 47%; p = 0.045). Persons holding 1 or more conspiracy beliefs had higher CD4 cell counts at diagnosis (254 cells/mm3 versus 92, p = 0.03); and similar rates of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use (73% versus 71%), 100% adherence to HAART by self-report (53% versus 45%,), mean adherence by pharmacy refill (83% versuss 87%), and gaps in care greater than 120 days (49% versus 53%), compared to subjects who did not hold any conspiracy beliefs (all p > 0.40). Since recruitment focused on patients in care, patients with extreme conspiracy beliefs may be underrepresented. Despite this, more than 50% of the study population endorsed 1 or more conspiracy belief. However, these beliefs did not negatively impact access or adherence to HIV care. Efforts to improve adherence to HIV care may not need to focus on eliminating conspiracy beliefs.Keywords
This publication has 14 references indexed in Scilit:
- Conspiracy Beliefs and Trust in Information About HIV/AIDS Among Minority Men Who Have Sex With MenJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2007
- Factors Associated with Engaging Socially Marginalized HIV-Positive Persons in Primary CareAIDS Patient Care and STDs, 2007
- HIV status, trust in health care providers, and distrust in the health care system among Bronx womenAIDS Care, 2007
- Improved Adherence with Contingency ManagementAIDS Patient Care and STDs, 2007
- Is the quality of the patient-provider relationship associated with better adherence and health outcomes for patients with HIV?Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2006
- Exploring Lack of Trust in Care Providers and the Government as a Barrier to Health Service UseAmerican Journal of Public Health, 2006
- Conspiracy Beliefs About the Origin of HIV/AIDS in Four Racial/Ethnic GroupsJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2006
- Are HIV/AIDS Conspiracy Beliefs a Barrier to HIV Prevention Among African Americans?JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2005
- Measuring Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in a Diverse Population Using a Visual Analogue ScaleHIV Research & Clinical Practice, 2004
- Trust and the Acceptance of and Adherence to Antiretroviral TherapyJAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, 2001