The Impact of Short Message Services (SMS) on ARV Adherence in Western Kenya (CAPS)

Georgetown University

Status: Completed

Conditions: AIDS; Medication Adherence; Antiretroviral Therapy; HIV Infections

Treatments: Behavioral: Short Message Services to Support ARV therapy adherence

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01058694

2008-005

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of proposed research is to implement a randomized study that will allow us to understand and address a number of key barriers to patient adherence as well as study the effects of better adherence on health and socio-economic outcomes.

Full description

Several studies have shown that proper adherence to treatment regimens is essential for the effectiveness of ARV therapy (e.g Wools-Kaloustian et al. 2006). There is also evidence in that in some treatment programs in Africa, adherence rates are not always high (Gill et al. 2005). Even in settings where adherence levels are found to be high, numerous factors have been identified as being relevant, although the causal effects are unknown (Castro, 2006). As ARV treatment programs are scaled up in Africa, it is essential to understand the socio-economic determinants of adherence to ARV treatment, as well as the impact of interventions to support high levels of adherence. A secondary objective of this study is to understand the socio-economic impacts of higher adherence.

Enrollment: 720 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients who had been on ARV therapy at the Chulaimbo Rural Health Center for a maximum of three months and providing consent to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

• Patients who had been on ARV therapy for more than 3 months.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Factorial Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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720 participants in 5 patient groups

Weekly SMS, brief message

Experimental group

Description:

Weekly SMS received on Monday at 12 noon

Treatment:

Behavioral: Short Message Services to Support ARV therapy adherence

Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Receives a phone, but no messages.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Short Message Services to Support ARV therapy adherence

Daily SMS, Brief message

Experimental group

Description:

Receive daily brief message at 12 noon: "This is your reminder"

Treatment:

Behavioral: Short Message Services to Support ARV therapy adherence

Daily SMS, Long Message

Experimental group

Description:

Receive a daily long message at 12 noon: "This is your reminder + encouragement"

Treatment:

Behavioral: Short Message Services to Support ARV therapy adherence

Weekly SMS, Long Message

Experimental group

Description:

Weekly message sent at 12 noon on Mondays: "This is your reminder + encouragement"

Treatment:

Behavioral: Short Message Services to Support ARV therapy adherence