Table 2.

Selected First References to Adherence and Subsequent Self-reports, Selected Subjects

ID code	First Assertion about Adherence	Pattern as Described Later
F46L	”No, I don't have problems, sometimes I forget but not so much.”	Sometimes forgets because she is busy; because at the scheduled time she is in the car or does not have water, and then forgets to take medication later; has failed to refill her prescription on time; sometimes misses a few days at a time.
F41C	“I've never really missed a lot of this. This combination I'm on.” “I've never missed, you know, a day.”	Sometimes misses nighttime dose due to falling asleep. “Sometimes it can be at least once a week. Sometimes it can be more.” Also late on midday dose if at a meeting.
M39C	Switched to Combivir from a more complex regimen because he is sometimes forgetful. He has been offered a phone reminder service, but “I am not going to try it because I got … I basically remember 2 times a day.”	Takes 3 to 4 day holidays. Sometimes forgets to take medication with him. Seems not to consider holidays to constitute nonadherence.
M33C	Asked, “Do you ever miss a dose?” Responds, “I have. Fell asleep.”	Released from jail about 6 months prior to interview. Missed doses while in shelters, but cannot remember how often. Prescriptions had run out day of interview, claimed he intended to fill them but had already missed morning dose. Admits that has happened before. Later in interview, claims he never misses a dose.
M34L(2)	”I'm getting better little by little, thank the Lord. Or it's because I've followed the rules of the treatment.”	Forgets once or twice a month when visiting mother; forgets when drinking beer with the family. Has had pills left over 3 days after they should have run out. (Note: was dropped by his previous physician for missing too many appointments.)
F45AA	Says her health is good because ”I've been taking my medicine the right way.”	Does not take when she misses meals. Does not take when out of house and does not trust the water. Sometimes forgets. Admits to missing doses 1 to 2 times a week. Takes Nevirapine on her own asymmetrical schedule (6:00 am, 3:00 pm).
M43L	”Well, it isn't hard for me. Really I have no problem. The only thing I have is that often I leave here in a hurry and I forget to take it.”	Sometimes forgets his morning dose—indeed, has forgotten the morning of the interview. When interviewer urges him to take it now, suggests he does not really want to. Says he has run out and not filled his prescription on time 2 or 3 times in last year. Says he also just forgets once or twice a week, then says maybe 3 times a week. Finally says it is more important not to worry than it is to be adherent.