The reliability of reports of medical adherence from children with HIV and their adult caregivers

J Pediatr Psychol. 2003 Jul-Aug;28(5):355-61. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsg025.

Abstract

Objective: To compare children's reports of their medication adherence to those of their adult caregivers.

Method: Several indicators of medication adherence were assessed for 48 adult-child dyads. Kappa statistics were calculated as measures of agreement.

Results: Adherence problems were common, although the level of agreement between the child and the adult was quite low (kappas for adherence variables ranged from .05 to .32). Compared to adult-child dyads that agreed, dyads that disagreed tended to include older children who had more responsibility for managing their own medications.

Conclusions: Both researchers and clinicians would benefit from acquiring information on children's adherence from multiple sources.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Caregivers*
  • Child
  • Female
  • HIV Seropositivity / drug therapy*
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Truth Disclosure*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents