Preliminary Findings on the Association Between Symptoms of Depression and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in Individuals Born Inside Versus Outside of Canada

Abstract

For optimal health, people living with HIV (PLWH) need to adhere to antiretroviral therapy (ART). We explored the relationship between symptoms of depression and ART adherence for PLWH born inside versus outside of Canada. PLWH taking ART (N = 57) completed self-assessments of depression and adherence to ART. Adherence rates did not differ significantly for PLWH who were born outside (66.7% were ≥95% adherent) versus inside Canada (51.6% were ≥95% adherent), but the relationship between symptoms of depression and ART adherence depended on the country of birth: for individuals born in Canada, depression was associated with lower ART adherence (β = -.21, p = .005, 95% confidence interval -.35 to -.07); for PLWH born outside of Canada there was no association between symptoms of depression and ART adherence. Symptoms of depression may not universally affect ART adherence; country of birth may be one critical variable impacting this relationship.

Keywords: Canada; adherence; antiretroviral therapy (ART); depression; moderation effects.