Cell Phone Intervention to Support Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Adherence in Kenya

A Targeted Cell Phone Intervention to Improve Patient Access to Care and Drug Adherence in Patients Taking Antiretroviral (ARV) Medications in Kenya

A clinical study to evaluate the use of cell phones to support drug adherence and follow-up of patients taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treatment of HIV. The intervention involves health-care providers sending regular short-message-service (SMS) text messages to patients and following up their responses. The hypothesis is that the cell phone intervention will improve ART adherence and health outcomes compared with the current standard of care.

This RCT study focuses on enrolling and following patients initiating ART. Note, a second parallel prospective cohort study enrolls and follows ART experienced patients who have already been taking ART for at least one year before and after the same intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HIV infected and starting antiretroviral therapy
• Adequate (daily) access to a cell phone
• Intending to attend the enrollment clinic for 2 years
• Consent to participate

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not meeting inclusion criteria