Cognitive Behavioral Adherence Intervention for Depressed HIV Patients

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is a type of medication treatment for HIV that impairs the virus's ability to multiply. When used properly, it has been shown to be successful in reducing HIV-related deaths. A high adherence rate to ART is required to adequately suppress the virus, limit drug resistance, and reduce transmission. HIV infected people who are depressed often experience increased difficulty with adhering to their ART regimen. This study will compare the effectiveness of a cognitive behavioral intervention that targets both depression and adherence versus usual care practices which may or may not include mental health intervention with the goal of improving ART adherence among HIV infected adults with depression who are experiencing difficulty with adhering to their medication regimen.

This study will last 24 weeks. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive the cognitive behavioral intervention or usual care. Study visits for all participants will occur at baseline and Weeks 4, 8, 16, and 24. Those receiving the intervention will also have visits at Weeks 1 and 2. Participants receiving the intervention will attend five individual treatment sessions followed by one to three booster treatment sessions; these sessions will coincide with the study visits.