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. 2011 Nov;15(8):1776-84.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-011-9995-x.

Impact of a mHealth intervention for peer health workers on AIDS care in rural Uganda: a mixed methods evaluation of a cluster-randomized trial

Larry W Chang  1 , Joseph Kagaayi, Hannah Arem, Gertrude Nakigozi, Victor Ssempijja, David Serwadda, Thomas C Quinn, Ronald H Gray, Robert C Bollinger, Steven J Reynolds
Affiliations

Impact of a mHealth intervention for peer health workers on AIDS care in rural Uganda: a mixed methods evaluation of a cluster-randomized trial

Larry W Chang et al. AIDS Behav. 2011 Nov.

Abstract

Mobile phone access in low and middle-income countries is rapidly expanding and offers an opportunity to leverage limited human resources for health. We conducted a mixed methods evaluation of a cluster-randomized trial exploratory substudy on the impact of a mHealth (mobile phone) support intervention used by community-based peer health workers (PHW) on AIDS care in rural Uganda. 29 PHWs at 10 clinics were randomized by clinic to receive the intervention or not. PHWs used phones to call and text higher level providers with patient-specific clinical information. 970 patients cared for by the PHWs were followed over a 26 month period. No significant differences were found in patients' risk of virologic failure. Qualitative analyses found improvements in patient care and logistics and broad support for the mHealth intervention among patients, clinic staff, and PHWs. Key challenges identified included variable patient phone access, privacy concerns, and phone maintenance.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Trial profile
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Map of cluster sites in Rakai, Uganda. Legend: Triangles Peer Health Workers with mHealth Support Clinics (mHealth+) Circles Peer Health Workers without mHealth Support Clinics (mHealth−), Thumbtack Central Clinic
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Health care communication diagram
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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