Assessment of the Feasbility of Using Text Messages Among Art Follow-Up Patients to Improve Drug Adherence in Selected Art Units in Addis Ababa City Administration. Addis Ababa
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2010-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Back ground: PLWHA on ART follow –up individuals may or may not have mobile phones,
ability to use text messages and willingness to receive text message reminders to take their
drugs .But the extent of theses desires and how it varies by individual, social, health and
demographic characteristics is not well understood.
Objective: to assess the feasibility of using text messages among ART follow up patients to
improve drug adherence in selected ART units in Addis Ababa city administration
Method: The study was undertaken from March to April 2010, using quantitative cross-sectional
study supplemented by qualitative in-depth interview on a sample of 461 PLWHA on ART
follow up care for quantitative and 14 respondents for qualitative. Study subjects were selected
using stratified random sampling method. A pre- tested structured questionnaire was used to
collect data; Data were entered, cleaned, and analyzed using SPSS version 16
Result- One hundred twenty five (82.8%) male and ninety-three (79.5%) female over all 218
(81.3 %) of the total respondents PLWHA on ART follow-up in Addis Ababa were willing to
receive (SMS) text message reminders. Of those who have willingness to receive text message
reminders had disclosure of HIV status to their partner or family with (adjusted OR: 0.03, 95%CI
:( 0.01-0.08) times more likely willing to receive SMS text message reminders than those who
did not disclose their HIV status. In addition, respondents who attended elementary school
(adjusted OR: 8.21, 95% CI: 1.59-42.33) times more likely to receive text message than those
who do not attended school and those who secondary school (adjusted OR: 58.65, 95% CI:
12.18-280.12) times more likely to receive text messages than those who did not attended school.
One hundred forty eight (68.2%) of PLWHA on ART follow-up individuals wanted to receive
text message reminders of time to take their drugs
Conclusion: High proportion of HIV positive individuals on ART follow-up wanted to receive
text message reminders, of time to take their drugs. Their willingness to receive text message
reminders of these people has implication to introduce or adoption (SMS) text message
technology with designed special computer software program that automatically sends special
message service (SMS) to improve drug adherence.
Description
Keywords
Improve Drug Adherence in Selected Art Units