Abstract
BACKGROUND: HIV-infected patients with poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence are prone to depression, and depression can exacerbate the disease condition. This study was conducted to determine ART Adherence based on Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model and its association with depression among HIV-positive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive-correlational study was carried out on people over the age of 18 years with HIV/AIDS, who referred to the Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center in Kerman City, Iran, in 2017. In this regard, 119 patients were selected using the table of random numbers. To collect the data, we used the Beck's depressioninventory-II and the IMB researcher made questionnaire to evaluate the ART adherence. RESULTS: The results of the study reveal that a significant association was observed between the total adherence and all constructs of the IMB model (P < 0.001). Risk perception and self-efficacy had the highest mean scores regarding the ART adherence. The prevalence of depression was 71.5% among patients. Information, personal motivation, and total adherence had a significant association with depression. CONCLUSIONS: IMB model was an appropriate and practical strategy with regard to the ART adherence among people living with HIV who are prone to depression and drug consumption is crucial for them to achieve the 90-90-90 target. This article created a questionnaire to assist policy-makers and health professionals designing interventions to improve adherence and health outcomes of ART.