Abstract
This paper outlines the development and initial testing of the READY intervention that was designed to enhance readiness for adherence among adults with a history of nonadherence to HIV treatment. Participants in this study were adults (n = 28) who ranged in age from 24 to 57: most were male (75%) and African American (64%). Participants had failed an average of four prior HIV treatment regimens due to nonadherence and were beginning a new regimen of protease inhibitor (PI)-based antiretroviral medications. The study was conducted from 2003 to 2006, prior to the standard use of boosted PI regimens. Results indicated that 50% of participants became adherent and had suppressed viral loads to less than 50 copies per milliliter at the 3-month postintervention follow-up time point. Of those who became adherent, 79% remained adherent at the 12-month postintervention follow-up time point. Implementation of the intervention was found to be feasible in a real-world setting and participants reported that they liked the intervention. A 6-session length of the intervention was found to have the same impact on adherence outcomes as a 12-session length. No differences were found in outcomes with regard to the intervention's start time: before or at the same time the new antiretroviral regimen was initiated. These results suggest that the READY intervention may have merit and that the 6-session length may be more acceptable. However, a larger controlled study is indicated to examine intervention efficacy further.