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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2014;13(4):331-8.
doi: 10.2989/16085906.2014.961939.

Mobile health for early retention in HIV care: a qualitative study in Kenya (WelTel Retain)

Kirsten Smillie  1 , Natasha Van Borek, Mia L van der Kop, Abigael Lukhwaro, Neville Li, Sarah Karanja, Anik R Patel, David Ojakaa, Richard T Lester
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Mobile health for early retention in HIV care: a qualitative study in Kenya (WelTel Retain)

Kirsten Smillie et al. Afr J AIDS Res. 2014.

Abstract

Many people newly diagnosed with HIV are lost to follow-up before timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART). A randomised controlled trial (RCT), WelTel Kenya1, demonstrated the effectiveness of the WelTel text messaging intervention to improve clinical outcomes among patients initiating ART. In preparation for WelTel Retain, an RCT that will evaluate the effect of the intervention to retain patients in care immediately following HIV diagnosis, we conducted an informative qualitative study with people living with HIV (n = 15) and healthcare providers (HCP) (n = 5) in October 2012. Study objectives included exploring the experiences of people living with HIV who have attempted to engage in HIV care, the use of cell phones in everyday life, and perceptions of communicating via text message with HCP. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted and recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using NVivo software. Analysis was guided by the Theory of Reasoned Action and the Technology Acceptance Model. Results indicate that while individuals have many motivators for engaging in care after diagnosis, structural and individual barriers including poverty, depression and fear of stigma prevent them from doing so. All participants had access to a mobile phone, and most were comfortable communicating through text messages, or were willing to learn. Both people living with HIV and HCP felt that increased communication via the text messaging intervention has the potential to enable early identification of problems, leading to timely problem solving that may improve retention and engagement in care during the first year after diagnosis.

Keywords: HIV; engagement in care; mobile health; sub-Saharan Africa.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The WelTel intervention
Figure 2
Figure 2
Theory of Reasoned Action guided analysis of participants’ responses to questions regarding engagement in HIV care
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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