Physician communication behaviors from the perspective of adult HIV patients in Kenya.
OBJECTIVE
We describe perceived physician communication behaviors and its association with adherence to care, among HIV patients in Kenya.


DESIGN
This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and August 2011.


SETTING
The study was conducted in three adult HIV clinics within the Academic Model Providing Healthcare program in western Kenya.


PARTICIPANTS
HIV adult patients.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Patient's predisposition to attend clinic, missed appointment and missed combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) medication.


RESULTS
A total of 400 patients were enrolled and participated in the study; the median age was 38 years (IQR = 33-44) and 56.5% were female. Patients perceived physicians engaged in a high number of communication behaviors (mean = 3.80, range 1-5). A higher perceived general health status (P = 0.01), shorter distance to the health facility (P = 0.03) and lesser time spent at the health facility (P = 0.02) were associated with a higher number of perceived physician communication behaviors. Physician-patient relationship factors were not associated with physician communication behaviors. In addition, a higher number of perceived physician communication behaviors was associated with a very high likelihood of patients' attending the next HIV clinic [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.89, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.49-2.40], a lower likelihood of patients' missing an appointment (AOR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61-0.92) and missing cART medication (AOR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52-0.87).


CONCLUSION
Patients' perception of physician communication behaviors was found to be associated with their adherence to HIV care.
['Wachira|Juddy|J|', 'Middlestadt|Susan|S|', 'Reece|Michael|M|', 'Peng|Chao-Ying Joanne|CY|', 'Braitstein|Paula|P|']
D000328:Adult D003142:Communication D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D005260:Female D015658:HIV Infections D006297:Health Services Accessibility D006304:Health Status D006801:Humans D007630:Kenya D008297:Male D010349:Patient Compliance D010817:Physician-Patient Relations D010820:Physicians D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
disease categories infectious disease patient-centred care patient–provider communication/information