Evaluation of the Impact of Mobile Phone Messages on ART and PMTCT Adherence in Mozambique

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Mobile phone SMS are increasingly used to promote positive health behaviour with an aim to improve health outcomes. However, robust data on the efficacy of SMS on health seeking behaviour and patient outcomes in resource-limited settings is sparse. The SMSaude study aims to assess whether regular SMS-reminders improve retention on antiretroviral therapy (ART) and prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT) programmes in Mozambique.

Detailed Description
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SMSaúde is a multisite randomised clinical trial of HIV-infected adults on ART and HIV-infected pregnant women in six clinics in Maputo Province, Mozambique. Eligibility criteria include: currently residing in the province; no plans to move for 12+ months; have own cell-phone; literate; 8-28 weeks pregnant (PMTCT cohort); on first line ART and on ART for >15 days (ART cohort). Patients were interviewed for eligibility, and then randomized (1:1). SMS reminders are sent to the intervention group using software that picks up the patient's next appointment from the electronic patient database. Primary outcomes tested were improved retention in ART care and uptake of all PMTCT services.

Official Title
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Evaluation of the Impact of Mobile Phone Messages on ART and PMTCT Adherence in Mozambique: A Randomized Control Trial

Conditions
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HIV-positive

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: SMS reminders


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: On ART for >15 days (for ART only) Live in province and plan to stay for 12+ months Have cell phone Literate For PMTCT (in addition to above criteria): - pregnant between 8-28 weeks Exclusion Criteria: -

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: ART no SMS reminders<br>control group | Behavioral: SMS reminders<br>* Intervention participants only will be sent text messages to their phones. The content of text messages will have a maximum of 160 characters and not mention HIV and will state the dates for the forthcoming consultations, visits to the pharmacy, lab results, time to take medication and reminders for patients who miss appointments.<br>|
| Active Comparator: PMTCT no SMS reminders<br>control group | Behavioral: SMS reminders<br>* Intervention participants only will be sent text messages to their phones. The content of text messages will have a maximum of 160 characters and not mention HIV and will state the dates for the forthcoming consultations, visits to the pharmacy, lab results, time to take medication and reminders for patients who miss appointments.<br>|
| Experimental: SMS reminders to PMTCT cohort<br>experimental group | Behavioral: SMS reminders<br>* Intervention participants only will be sent text messages to their phones. The content of text messages will have a maximum of 160 characters and not mention HIV and will state the dates for the forthcoming consultations, visits to the pharmacy, lab results, time to take medication and reminders for patients who miss appointments.<br>|
| Experimental: SMS reminders to ART cohort<br>experimental group | Behavioral: SMS reminders<br>* Intervention participants only will be sent text messages to their phones. The content of text messages will have a maximum of 160 characters and not mention HIV and will state the dates for the forthcoming consultations, visits to the pharmacy, lab results, time to take medication and reminders for patients who miss appointments.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Retention in ART care |  | 12 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Retention in PMTCT care |  | until 8 weeks post partum | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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mhealth, mobile health, SMS, SMS reminders, ART retention in care, PMTCT, PMTCT cascade, retention in care