HAART Effects on HIV

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer first explains that HAART refers to highly active antiretroviral therapy. The writer then points out that antiretroviral medications are used for the treatment of infection by viruses such as HIV. The writer notes that HAART is comprised of a combination of several antiretroviral drugs. Since 1990, new antiretroviral nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors have been used in combination with protease inhibitors and non-nucleosides. The writer discusses that the effectiveness of HAART has been tested in a number of ways, however, its effectiveness depends on demographic and health factors. The writer maintains that the issue of HAART is relevant to nursing since it involves the well being and effective treatment of HIV+ patients. The writer finds this relevant because many patients today are HIV+, even though they may not be aware of their status and enter treatment for other reasons. Using literary sources, the writer examines the effectiveness of HAART for HIV+ patients and what modifies its effectiveness.

Outline:
Introduction
Literature Review
Critique
Implications for Nursing and Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The purpose of Chu, Gange, and Anastos' study was to determine if hormonal contraceptive use played a part in the effectiveness of HAART. This comparative study used 77 hormonal contraceptive users and 77 nonusers. The design was a prospective cohort study since the sample was based on the larger group used by Gange, et al. The same methods were used as in the earlier study. The main finding was that HIV-infected hormonal contraceptive users and nonusers did not differ significantly in their immunologic and virologic responses to HAART. From the study, it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence that using hormonal contraceptives significantly changed the effectiveness of HAART."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Chu, J., S, Gange & Anastos, K. (2005). Hormonal contraceptive use and the effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy. American Journal of Epidemiology, 161 (9), 881-890.
• Ellis, R., M. Childers & Cherner, M. (2003). Increased human immunodeficiency virus loads in active methamphetamine users are explained by reduced effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 188, 1820-1826.
• Gange, S., Y. Barron & Greenblatt, R. (2002). Effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV-1 infected women. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 56, 153-159.
• Halkitis, P., M. Shrem & Zade, D. (2005). The physical, emotional and interpersonal impact of HAART. Journal of Health Psychology, 10 (3), 345-358.
• Vlahov, D., G. Noya & Safaeian, M. (2005). Effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy among injection drug users with late-stage human immunodeficiency virus infection. American Journal of Epidemiology, 161 (11), 999-1012.

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• Term Paper # 99803 : "Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy"

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