Directly Observed Therapy for HIV Infected Adolescents

Adherence to a doctor-prescribed anti-HIV drug regimen is crucial in the management of HIV infection. In previous studies with tuberculosis patients, directly observed therapy (DOT), a strategy in which patients are observed while taking their medications, has been proven useful in increasing patient adherence. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a new DOT strategy in HIV infected adolescents who have had difficulty adhering to anti-HIV drug regimens or regimens to prevent opportunistic infections (OIs) in the past.