To reduce missing data in the multivariable analyses, we included a ‘not specified’ category to include nonresponders who had missing data on a limited number of variables. Where the ‘not specified’ category was not significantly different from the reference category,

‘not specified’ responses have not been presented in the Results section. Reliability analysis (Cronbach’s α) was performed using stata/se 11.0 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA). All other analyses were performed using IBM spss statistics 18 (formerly known as pasw statistics 18 and spss ATM/ATR tumor statistics, IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA). A total of 1106 HIV-positive individuals completed the HIV Futures 6 survey. This represents approximately 6.6% of the estimated HIV-positive population within Australia. Of these respondents, 867 (78.4%) were taking ART at the time of completing the survey. Most

respondents (57.9%) selleckchem were on regimens composed of three antiretroviral drugs and took their antiretroviral medication once (44.6%) or twice (47.1%) a day. In terms of the actual combinations taken, 22.6% were taking a regimen composed of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and one NNRTI; 15.0% were taking two NRTIs and one PI; 9.8% were taking both PIs and NNRTIs with or without an NRTI backbone, and 52.6% were taking another type of regimen. Of those taking a regimen including a PI, 50.1% were also taking ritonavir. A small proportion of the sample (7.6%) were taking agents from newer antiretroviral drug classes (integrase and fusion inhibitors). Of those respondents on ART at the time of completing the survey, 820 (94.6%) indicated whether or not they experienced any difficulty taking ART; 39.1% of respondents expressed difficulty taking ART. Table 1 provides an overview of the reported reasons for such difficulty. Remembering to take selleck kinase inhibitor drugs on time and side effects were the most common reasons for reported difficulty taking ART. Commonly stated side effects

included gastrointestinal disturbances (diarrhoea, nausea and flatulence in particular), lipodystrophy and fatigue/sleep disturbance. Of those who specified ‘other reasons’ for difficulty taking ART, such reasons included pill size, travel commitments and restrictions, and the inconvenience of obtaining medication. Of the personal factors evaluated (see Fig. 1), age, party drug use (use of any of noninjected cocaine, ecstasy, lysergic acid diethylamide, injected and noninjected speed, and γ-hydroxybutyric acid), alcohol use, cigarette smoking, self-reported health and wellbeing, a diagnosis of herpes within the last 12 months, diagnosis of a mental health condition, use of psychiatric medications and disclosure to close friends showed a significant association with reported difficulty taking ART at the level of α=0.05.