Stone, Andrew C. (2019) Barriers to and Facilitators of Antiretroviral Adherence Among Methamphetamine-Using Gay and Bisexual Men. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience high rates of HIV transmission and methamphetamine use, commonly in sexualised contexts. Since 2010, antiretroviral (ARV) medication has been used to not only prevent HIV developing into AIDS, but also to prevent transmission of HIV among at-risk populations. ARVs now form part of Australia’s HIV strategy. The protective effects of ARVs rely on consistent (> 90%) adherence, and methamphetamine use has been shown to interfere with adherence to ARVs. This increases risk of HIV transmission or development of ARV-resistant HIV. This systematic literature review examines barriers and facilitators of ARV adherence among methamphetamine-using MSM, and suggests possible strategies for improving ARV adherence among this high-risk group. Individual and structural barriers to ARV adherence among methamphetamine-using MSM identified include: lack of access to healthcare, internalised homophobia, and injection as route of drug administration. Individual and structural facilitators of ARV adherence identified include: SMS reminders, perceived self-efficacy and access to counselling. Enhanced screening of MSM when prescribing ARVs to prevent or treat HIV is recommended. Incorporating SMS reminders and personalised, gay-specific counselling for methamphetamine-using clients identified of being at risk of ARV non-adherence, along with strategies for improving the rigour of future research on this topic, are also recommended.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Amy Mullens; Erich Fein |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Nov 2025 00:54 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Nov 2025 00:54 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Gay men; Bisexual men; Methamphetamine; HIV; PEP; PrEP; ARVs; Adherence |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52791 |
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