Development and Feasibility Testing of an mHealth (Text Message and WeChat) Intervention to Improve the Medication Adherence and Quality of Life of People Living with HIV in China: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

• DOI: 10.2196/10274
• Publication Date: 2018-06-18T05:07:01Z
• Authors: Yan Guo; Zhimeng Xu; Jiaying Qiao; Y Alicia Hong; Hanxi Zhang; Chengbo Zeng; Weiping Cai; Linghua Li; Cong Liu
• Keywords: mHealth; Short Message Service

Most people living with HIV (PLWH) reside in middle- and low-income countries limited access to health services. Thus, cost-effective interventions that can reach a large number of PLWH are urgently needed.The objective our study was assess the feasibility acceptability an mHealth intervention among China.Based on previous formative research, we designed program included sending weekly reminders participants via text messages (short message service, SMS) articles self-management three times week popular social media app WeChat. A total 62 recruited from outpatient clinic were randomly assigned or control group. The lasted for 3 months, all assessed their medication adherence, presence depression, quality life (QoL), CD4 (cluster differentiation 4) counts. Upon completing intervention, interviewed 31 further study.At baseline, groups did not differ terms demographic characteristics any major outcome measures. About 85% (53/62) completed they provided valuable feedback design content intervention. Participants preferred WeChat as platform receiving information interactive communication ease access. Furthermore, made specific recommendations about building trust, features, personalized feedback. In follow-up assessment, measures.This pilot represents one first efforts develop messaging (SMS)- WeChat-based focused improving adherence QoL China. Our data indicates is feasible acceptable this population. collected through will inform future designs implementations vulnerable We recommend more innovative rigorous countries.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017987; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=30448 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/71zC7Pdzs).RR1-10.2196/.