Evaluating Rewards-Based Adherence and Electronic Medication Monitoring in HIV-Positive Adolescents

Incentives and Technology Survey 2013: Evaluation of Acceptance of Incentive-Based Adherence Programs and Electronic Medication Monitoring Among HIV-Positive Adolescents

The primary objective of this project is to assess the study population's acceptance of two medication adherence support strategies: incentive-based programs and electronic medication monitoring. The study population is adolescents (ages 16 - 24) positive for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) currently undergoing treatment with antiretrovirals at St. Jude's HIV clinic. Participation in the study will involve completion of a survey: an Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview (ACASI). The duration of the survey is anticipated to be 10-20 minutes. Patient identifiers will not be attached the survey.

Whether or not patients take their medications is one of the most noticeable and important predictors of treatment success or failure for HIV infection. Ways to improve compliance, specifically rewards-based programs and electronic medication monitoring, have shown some success in limited clinical research studies focused on adult subjects. Because the social and developmental factors in adolescents are different from adults, adolescents may not respond to these interventions in the same way as adults. This study will investigate adolescent acceptance and the effectiveness of these programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HIV positive
• Ages 16-24 years.
• Participants must understand written or spoken English, because the ACASI used in the study can only be administered in English.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Adolescents with a documented diagnosis of mental retardation or a significant motor or sensory impairment that would preclude participation in the study survey.