Effect of Educational Intervention Based on the Expanded Health Belief Model on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in the Patients with AIDS

  Antiretroviral treatment could reduce the mortality rate of HIV and prevent the disease progression and prolonging their life span. The present study aimed to assess the effects of education based on expanded health belief model on the treatment adherence of AIDS patients. This study was conducted on 72 AIDS patients. The subjects were divided into two groups of intervention and control. Data were collected using a questionnaire and Morisky medication adherence scale. After the pre-test, training sessions were implemented for the intervention group. Post-test was completed after three months. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 22 using independent t-test, Chi-square, and univariate analysis of covariance. No significant differences were observed in perceived susceptibility (P = 0.19), perceived benefits (P = 0.31), perceived barriers (P = 0.92), perceived self-efficacy (P = 0.14), and perceived social support (P = 0.15). However, significant differences were denoted in perceived severity (P = 0.01) and treatment adherence (P < 0.01) between intervention and control group in the post-test phase. According to the results, the expanded health belief model could be used in the training of AIDS patients to enhance their health beliefs, which in turn increases their adherence to antiretroviral treatment