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. 2014 May;18(5):833-40.
doi: 10.1007/s10461-014-0750-y.

Monitoring microbicide gel use with real-time notification of the container's opening events: results of the CAPRISA Wisebag study

Tanuja N Gengiah  1 , Michele Upfold, Anushka Naidoo, Leila E Mansoor, Paul J Feldblum, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, Salim S Abdool Karim
Affiliations

Monitoring microbicide gel use with real-time notification of the container's opening events: results of the CAPRISA Wisebag study

Tanuja N Gengiah et al. AIDS Behav. 2014 May.

Abstract

Accurate estimation of the effectiveness of a microbicide for HIV prevention requires valid measurement of adherence to product use. A microbicide gel applicator container (Wisebag), fitted with cell phone technology to transmit opening events and text message reminders, was developed to monitor each opening event of the container as a proxy for gel use and adherence. Ten women were enrolled in a pilot study and followed for up to 4 months. Wisebag opening (WBO) dates and times were recorded and correlated with self-reported sex acts and gel applicator returns. During the 33 monthly follow-up visits, 47.8 % (77/161) of the recorded number of WBO events were concordant with the number of empty (used) applicators returned. The discrepancies were likely due to removal of more than one applicator during a single opening event. When the date and time of the WBO event data was assessed in relation to three different self-report adherence measures, agreement was fairly modest. The Wisebag was found to be acceptable as a storage container and the cell phone reminders generated were useful in supporting the dosing strategy. We recommend that the Wisebag be considered for larger scale and lengthier testing in microbicide trials.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

All authors report no conflicts of interest

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The CAPRISA Wisebag dispensing unit and flow of communication
Figure 2
Figure 2
Figure 2a: Participant A Wisebag opening events and self-reported data by date and time Figure 2b: Participant B Wisebag opening events and self-reported data by date and time Figure 2c: Participant C Wisebag opening events and self-reported data by date and time
Figure 2
Figure 2
Figure 2a: Participant A Wisebag opening events and self-reported data by date and time Figure 2b: Participant B Wisebag opening events and self-reported data by date and time Figure 2c: Participant C Wisebag opening events and self-reported data by date and time
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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