Behavioural Text Messages to Improve Retention in Care in South Africa

Summary

The proportion of South Africans aware of their HIV status and on treatment remains lower than optimal. The goal of this study is to rapidly determine whether text messages framed according to behavioural economics principles increase clinic attendance among recipients of care on antiretroviral therapy in South Africa. We hypothesize that messages incorporating behavioural economics principles will increase the likelihood of recipients of care attending clinic appointments and returning within 28 days of a missed appointment.

Conditions

• HIV/AIDS

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Standard of Care (SOC) text message reminder to attend clinic appointment

SOC one-way text message reminding recipient of care to either 1) attend a scheduled clinic appointment or 2) visit the clinic after a missed appointment.

BEHAVIORAL

Loss aversion framed text message reminder to attend clinic appointment

Loss aversion framed one-way text message reminding recipient of care to either 1) attend a scheduled clinic appointment or 2) visit the clinic after a missed appointment.

BEHAVIORAL

Social norms framed text message reminder to attend clinic appointment

Social norms framed one-way text message reminding recipient of care to either 1) attend a scheduled clinic appointment or 2) visit the clinic after a missed appointment.

BEHAVIORAL

Altruism framed text message reminder to attend clinic appointment

Altruism framed one-way text message reminding recipient of care to either 1) attend a scheduled clinic appointment or 2) visit the clinic after a missed appointment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Witwatersrand, South Africa

  collaborator OTHER

• Aurum Institute

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Pennsylvania

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tonderai Mabuto, PhD · Aurum Institute

• Harsha Thirumurthy, PhD · University of Pennsylvania

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

SCREENING

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2021-08-05

Primary Completion

2021-12-07

Completion

2021-12-07

Countries

• South Africa

Study Locations