HIV Medication Adherence Efficacy Review: Efficacy Criteria
Efficacy criteria are used to determine if an HIV Medication Adherence (MA) intervention is evidence-based, that is, if there is strong or sufficient evidence that:
- The intervention improves adherence to HIV antiretroviral medication or
- Reduces HIV viral load
Efficacy criteria:
- Quality of study design
- Quality of study implementation and analysis
- Strength of evidence of efficacy
Based on the overall quality of the study, evidence-based interventions (EBIs) are classified as either best-evidence or good-evidence.
Evidence-Based Interventions (EBIs)
Best Evidence
- Clear description of key aspects
- Prospective study design
- Appropriate and concurrent comparison arm
- Random allocation to study arms
Best-evidence medication HIV interventions for persons with HIV (PWH)
- Show significant effects in improving medication adherence behaviors AND
- Show significant effects in reducing HIV viral load
These interventions are rigorously evaluated and provide the strongest evidence of efficacy.
Evidence-Based Interventions (EBIs)
Good Evidence
- Clear description of key aspects
- At least a quasi-prospective study design
- Appropriate or non-concurrent comparison arm
- At least a non-random allocation
Good evidence medication adherence HIV interventions for persons with HIV (PWH)
- Show significant effects in improving medication adherence OR
- Show significant effects in reducing HIV viral load
These interventions are scientifically sound and provide sufficient evidence of efficacy.
Additional Resources
Page last reviewed: January 12, 2022