A person carefully balancing medications symbolizing the complexities of managing HIV and co-existing conditions.

Beyond HIV: Understanding and Improving Medication Adherence for Co-Existing Conditions

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals how HIV patients perceive their medications for other conditions differently than their HIV treatments, impacting adherence. What can be done?"

Thanks to advancements in treatment, people living with HIV are living longer, healthier lives. However, this also means managing other chronic health conditions that can arise with age, like heart disease, osteoporosis, and depression. This often requires taking multiple medications, creating a complex regimen that can be difficult to stick to.

A recent study explored how HIV-positive individuals perceive their medications for these co-existing conditions compared to their antiretroviral therapy (cART). The findings reveal significant differences in beliefs and adherence, highlighting areas where healthcare providers can improve patient support and education.

This article will break down the study's key findings and offer practical insights for both patients and healthcare professionals looking to optimize medication adherence and overall well-being in the context of HIV and co-existing conditions.

The Belief Gap: How Patients See HIV Meds vs. Other Treatments

A person carefully balancing medications symbolizing the complexities of managing HIV and co-existing conditions.

The study, published in HIV Medicine, involved 105 HIV-positive patients in Switzerland who were also taking medication for other chronic conditions. Researchers used questionnaires to assess patients' beliefs about their HIV medications (cART) and their other medications (co-treatments).

The results revealed a significant "belief gap" between the two types of medications:

Necessity: Patients felt their HIV medications were more necessary for their health than their co-treatments. The standardized mean responses for the BMQ Specific-Necessity subscores were 4.46 [standard deviation (SD): 0.58] and 2.86 (SD: 1.02) for cART and co-treatments, respectively (P < 0.0001).
Concerns: Patients had greater concerns about potential side effects and negative consequences associated with their co-treatments compared to their HIV medications. For Specific-Concerns, the standardized mean responses were 2.9 (SD: 1.02) for CART and 4.09 (SD: 1.02) (P < 0.0001) for co-treatments.
Adherence: A higher percentage of patients reported being adherent to their HIV medications compared to their co-treatments. Eighty-seven patients (83%) were adherent to cART and 75 (71%) were adherent to their co-treatments (P = 0.0001).

These findings suggest that patients may prioritize their HIV treatment due to a stronger understanding of its importance for survival, while viewing medications for other conditions as less critical or potentially more burdensome.

Bridging the Gap: Improving Adherence for All Medications

The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to address the "belief gap" and provide better support for patients managing multiple medications. Here are some potential strategies:

<ul> <li>Education: Clearly explain the importance of all prescribed medications, not just HIV treatments. Address patient concerns about side effects and potential interactions.</li> <li>Communication: Encourage open communication between patients and providers about adherence challenges and any difficulties experienced with co-treatments.</li> <li>Individualized Approach: Tailor medication regimens and support strategies to meet the specific needs and beliefs of each patient.</li> <li>Simplify Regimens: Explore opportunities to simplify medication schedules and reduce the overall pill burden whenever possible.</li> </ul>

By understanding and addressing the factors that influence patient beliefs about their medications, healthcare providers can help improve adherence, optimize treatment outcomes, and enhance the overall quality of life for people living with HIV and other chronic conditions.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1111/hiv.12542, Alternate LINK

Title: Hiv-Infected Patients' Beliefs About Their Chronic Co-Treatments In Comparison With Their Combined Antiretroviral Therapy

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: HIV Medicine

Publisher: Wiley

Authors: S Kamal, O Bugnon, M Cavassini, Mp Schneider

Published: 2017-08-16

Everything You Need To Know

What is the "belief gap" mentioned in the findings?

The "belief gap" refers to the differing perceptions patients have regarding their medications. The study found that individuals living with HIV often view their cART as more crucial for their health than their co-treatments. This is reflected in higher necessity beliefs and lower concern about side effects for cART. It suggests that patients may prioritize their HIV medications due to a clearer understanding of their life-saving importance, while viewing other medications as potentially less critical or more troublesome.

Why is managing multiple medications challenging for those with HIV?

Managing multiple medications, including cART and those for co-existing conditions, is a complex task. Due to advancements in treatment, individuals living with HIV are living longer, leading to age-related health conditions like heart disease or depression. Taking multiple medications for these various conditions creates a complex regimen. Adherence to these medications is crucial for managing both HIV and the co-existing conditions effectively, contributing to improved overall well-being. A recent study found that individuals have different beliefs regarding their cART and co-treatments, impacting their adherence.

What does "adherence" mean in relation to the study?

Adherence in the context of this study refers to the extent to which patients follow their prescribed medication schedules. The study showed that patients were more adherent to their cART than to their co-treatments. This suggests a potential disparity in how patients prioritize their medications, with a tendency to adhere more closely to treatments they perceive as more critical, such as those for HIV. Understanding and addressing this gap is vital for improving overall health outcomes.

What is cART and how does it relate to the study?

cART, or antiretroviral therapy, is the medication used to treat HIV. The study compared patients' beliefs and adherence to cART with their perceptions and adherence to medications for other health conditions. This comparison revealed a 'belief gap,' where patients perceived cART as more necessary and associated with fewer concerns compared to other medications. This difference in perception directly impacted adherence rates, emphasizing the importance of focusing on patient beliefs.

How can healthcare providers improve medication adherence based on the study's findings?

The study's findings underscore the need for healthcare providers to address the "belief gap." Strategies include enhancing patient education about co-treatments, and addressing concerns about side effects. By providing clear information about the benefits of all medications and actively engaging with patients, healthcare professionals can improve medication adherence and overall health outcomes for people living with HIV. This involves tailoring support to individual patient needs and fostering open communication to address any misconceptions or concerns about medication regimens.