Association Between Health Literacy and HIV Treatment Adherence: Further Evidence from Objectively Measured Medication Adherence

BACKGROUND: People with lower-health literacy are vulnerable to health problems. Studies that have examined the association between literacy and medication adherence have relied on self-reported adherence, which is subject to memory errors, perhaps even more so in people with poor literacy. PURPOSE: To examine the association between health literacy and objectively assessed HIV treatment adherence. METHODS: Men and women (N = 145) receiving antiretroviral therapy completed a test of health literacy and measures of common adherence markers. Medication adherence was monitored by unannounced pill counts. RESULTS: Median adherence was 71%; participants with lower-health literacy also demonstrated poorer adherence compared to participants with higher literacy. Hierarchical regression showed literacy predicted adherence over and above all other factors. Sensitivity tests showed the same results for 80% and 90% adherence. CONCLUSIONS: The association between literacy and adherence appears robust and was confirmed using an objective measure of medication adherence.