Developing a cognitive behavioral therapy for adherence and depression-based group counseling models to enhance antiretroviral medication adherence in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients

The objective of this study is to develop a group counseling model based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Adherence and Depression (CBT-AD) that is effective, practical, and beneficial for facilitating adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). Data on ART adherence were collected using a standardized adherence tool with established validity and reliability. For the needs analysis phase, descriptive statistics were applied to interpret adherence patterns. The findings indicate that the CBT-AD group counseling model satisfactorily fulfils the criteria of being useful, practical, and effective in promoting adherence to ART among HIV/AIDS patients. Psychological challenges such as depression, hopelessness, stigma, and suicidal ideation were identified among 84 participants on ART for more than 6 months. Notably, this cohort included individuals with a long history of HIV infection as of November 2022. These psychosocial burdens substantially influenced their treatment adherence. This research is a developmental study that applies a modified ADDIE model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation).