Brief report: Predictors of optimal HIV appointment adherence in minority youth: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE This study investigated motivation to attend appointments, self-efficacy, self-esteem, substance use, and emotional distress as predictors of optimal HIV appointment adherence in minority youth living with HIV. METHODS Utilizing a prospective design, questionnaires were collected from 82 minority youth (mean age = 20.3) at baseline and appointment adherence was assessed over the subsequent 12-month period. Appointment adherence was dichotomized to reflect optimal (i.e., at least one appointment in each of the four quarters) versus suboptimal appointment adherence (i.e., no appointment in at least one of the four quarters). RESULTS High levels of motivation to attend appointments, high levels of self-efficacy, and low levels of alcohol use were associated with optimal HIV appointment adherence. CONCLUSIONS Interventions promoting motivation and self-efficacy, while addressing alcohol use and awareness of appointment adherence may be promising in improving optimal HIV appointment adherence in minority youth.