Cell Phone Reminders Intervention

Forty participants, non-adherent to HAART at study start, will be randomly assigned to either a 1) "Cell Phone Adherence Facilitator" group (intervention group) or a 2) control group. In the intervention group, a Cell Phone Adherence Facilitator will initiate a short (typically five minutes or less) contact Monday through Friday (excluding major holidays) with each participant to enhance their adherence to HAART. Occasionally, calls may be longer if crises arise that can be addressed by the Adherence Facilitator. Calls from the Adherence Facilitator will occur once or twice a day (depending on dosing schedule) and go on for 24 weeks in the intervention group. Calls will occur at a time soon after the prescribed dose is supposed to be taken, but also one convenient to the participant and the Adherence Facilitator.

All participants regardless of condition will be followed for 48 weeks. This intervention will be examined as a tool to address participant-specific, healthcare systems and participant-provider relationship barriers to ARV adherence.

Inclusion criteria

Documented HIV-positive infected either behaviorally or perinatally as determined by medical record review or verbal verification from referring professional.

Age 15 and 0 days to 24 years and 364 days. Enrolled in care at an AMTU or affiliated site.

History of non-adherence to one or more components of antiretroviral therapy, defined as meeting one of the following criteria:

• Currently prescribed HAART and reports to care provider less than 90% adherence in previous month and has viral load greater than 1000 copies/ml when last evaluated (within the last four weeks);
• Discontinued HAART in the past while documented to be less than 90% adherent during the most recent antiretroviral treatment; and
• Agreed to initiate antiretroviral treatment in the past, but never initiated. Able to speak and understand English. Willing to provide informed consent or assent.

Exclusion criteria

Evidence of cognitive impairment or other mental condition (including substance abuse) that limits his/her ability to complete intervention and assessments (per PI or designee discretion). Participants with stable and treated mental health/substance abuse disorders are acceptable for inclusion with protocol team approval.

Any condition, including active substance abuse that is expected to limit the likelihood that the participant may maintain involvement for the entire year on-study (per PI or designee discretion with protocol team approval).

No participant consent, parental permission or youth assent (as appropriate). Minors unable to acquire parental/guardian consent, even if not living at home, will not be able to participate as a change in housing status during the study might require premature discontinuation.

Current participation in another behavioral interventional trial.