The Effectiveness of SMS in Improving Antiretroviral Medication Adherence Among Adolescents Living With HIV in Nigeria

Summary

The non-maintenance of ART adherence is a major barrier to the achievement of optimal treatment outcomes among adolescents living with HIV. ART adherence is a challenge among adolescents living with HIV because of lack of appropriate information, their unique emotional state and lifestyles but the most commonly quoted challenge to adherence is forgetting to take antiretroviral drugs. There is evidence to suggest that short message service (SMS) reminder- interventions may enhance drug compliance among adolescents living with other chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes. Available literature underscores the need for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of effective interventions to promote ART adherence among adolescents with HIV.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of interactive and tailored SMS reminders on ART adherence among adolescents (15-19 years) living with HIV in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study hypothesizes that the use of personal mobile phones and SMS reminders for the improvement of ART adherence among adolescents living with HIV are feasible, acceptable, and effective.

A single-blind, parallel-design (ratio 1:1), and multi-center RCT of 230 adolescent living with HIV who are non-adherent to medications will be conducted over a one-year period in Southwest Nigeria. All the participants will receive routine adherence counseling during clinic visits and one SMS reminder each for follow-up appointments 48 hours and 24 hours before the follow-up visit date. The intervention group will also receive daily ART adherence reminder SMS. Participants will be assessed at baseline and during follow-up visits at 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after the baseline. Baseline assessment of participants will include socio-demographic characteristics; HIV/AIDS risk behaviour assessment, Alcohol and Drug abuse assessment, Client Satisfaction Survey, ART adherence assessment, CD4count and viral load assessments. ART adherence and client satisfaction will be assessed at each follow-up visit while CD4count and viral load assessments will be done at baseline and at 20th week.

It is possible that tailored SMS reminders will mitigate the barrier of forgetfulness in ART-adherence and lead to improved drug compliance, viral suppression, and quality of life among adolescents living with HIV.

Conditions

• HIV Infections

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Daily ART-adherence SMS reminder

Interactive and tailored SMS reminders that are acceptable to the participants to remind them to take their medications and to make clinic attendance.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard Adherence Counselling/Patient experience group chat

All the participants will receive the standard adherence counselling by trained counsellors at each visit. All participants will also be enlisted in a group chat on social media where they will discuss their experiences with the quality of HIV services rendered at their respective clinics. A specialist who will have very minimal involvement will give weekly feedback and counsel on how best to resolve prominent challenges.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Dr. Olumide ABIODUN

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Olumide ABIODUN, FWACP · Babcock University

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

15 Years

Max Age

19 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2018-07-05

Primary Completion

2019-05-03

Completion

2019-06-30

Countries

• Nigeria

Study Locations