Using Social Media to Improve ART Retention and Treatment Outcomes Among YLHIV in Nigeria

Using Social Media to Improve ART Retention and Treatment (SMART) Outcomes Among Youth Living With HIV (YLHIV) in Nigeria - The Youth SMART Study

A randomized control trial to test the effectiveness of a structured online support group, SMART (Social Media to improve ART Retention in Treatment) Connections, to improve retention in HIV care services among youth living with HIV (YLHIV) in Nigeria.

Study aim is to examine the effect of an online structured support group intervention (SMART Connections) designed to improve retention in HIV care services among youth ages 15-21 years living with HIV enrolled in ART services. A randomized control trial in which youth living with HIV (YLHIV) will be allocated to standard of care (control) or standard of care plus an online support group and followed for 12 months. Structured questionnaires will be administered to participants at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Clinical data will also be extracted on participants. In-depth interviews with a subset of participants and intervention implementers will be completed at the end of the intervention period. Although participants will be recruited from health facilities, the intervention is conducted "virtually," by trained facilitators, not within the health facilities.

Inclusion Criteria:

• HIV positive and know their status
• Actively on ART for less than 12 months, including newly initiating patients
• Age 15 to 24 years
• Can demonstrate basic literacy necessary to participate in online chats

Exclusion Criteria:

• Unable to attend the initial intervention group meeting for treatment participants
• Currently enrolled in another research study related to HIV service retention or ART adherence
• Critically or severely ill requiring hospitalization or such that the individual is unable to provide informed consent at the time of study recruitment