HIV Medication Adherence Efficacy Review: Efficacy Criteria

The Prevention Research Synthesis (PRS) Project 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. Each eligible study is evaluated against the efficacy criteria that focus on quality of study design, quality of study implementation and analysis, and 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. Additional details about the MA Chapter or the PRS Project can be obtained by contacting PRS.

Best-evidence Medication Adherence Interventions

Best-evidence MA interventions are HIV interventions that focus on medication adherence behaviors among persons living with HIV (PLWH), have been rigorously evaluated, and have shown significant effects in both improving medication adherence behaviors and reducing HIV viral load. These interventions are considered to be scientifically rigorous and provide the strongest evidence of efficacy. These interventions meet the PRS efficacy criteria for best-evidence MA interventions.

Good-evidence Medication Adherence Interventions

Good-evidence MA interventions are HIV interventions that focus on medication adherence behaviors among PLWH, have been sufficiently evaluated, and have shown significant effects in reducing HIV viral load or improving medication adherence behaviors. While the evaluations of these interventions do not meet the same level of rigor as the best-evidence interventions, they are considered to be scientifically sound and provide sufficient evidence of efficacy. These interventions meet the PRS efficacy criteria for good-evidence MA interventions.

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