Patient engagement in care and adherence to medication are critical to achieving the full benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people with HIV infection. A randomized controlled trial in Kenya, WelTelKenya1, showed that an interactive mobile phone text-messaging intervention can improve adherence and viral load suppression. We conducted a pilot study to adapt the WelTel intervention for HIV-infected clients (n = 25) at an HIV clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia. Between April and June 2012, we recruited five participants from five groups: youth (14-24 years), mature (≥50 years), English as a second language, remote (≥3 hours travel time to clinic), and nonsuppressed (CD4+ T cell count <200 cells/mm(3) and viral load ≥250 copies/mL on two consecutive occasions). Participants described the intervention as a useful way to communicate with health care providers, thus increasing the ability to access services, report side effects, and attend appointments.
Keywords: Canada; HIV; continuity of patient care; mobile health; nursing.
Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.