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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05634265

Social Media for ART Adherence and Retention in Adolescents and Young Adults: the Vijana-SMART Study

The goal of this study is to investigate whether a virtual peer support group improves ART knowledge, adherence, and mental health in youth living with HIV in Kenya.

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Key information

Conditions

HIV-1-infection Adherence, Medication Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression Health Behavior Medication Adherence Patient Acceptance of Health Care Patient Compliance Treatment Adherence and Compliance

Age range

14 year–24 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Kayole

Nairobi, Kenya

About this study

Adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV show lower ART adherence, higher loss to follow-up and higher AIDS-related mortality than other age groups. Innovative approaches are needed that address AYA's unique needs and improve their adherence and retention in HIV care. There is evidence that peer support and mobile messaging with healthcare workers (HCW) are two strategies that may be effective in this group, but their evaluation has been limited and no interventions have combined them. Since 2014, youth-run virtual support groups have spontaneously started at HIV clinics, using the mobile social media application WhatsApp. These groups present valuable case studies from which the proposed project will develop a structured social media intervention that combines peer and HCW support to improve ART adherence and retention, guided by the preferences of AYA. The SPECIFIC AIMS are to (1) Characterize the existing WhatsApp groups through in-depth interviews with members and detailed content analysis of the group's communications during a 6-week observation period. This will define the elements and features desired by AYA in a social media intervention. (2) Guided by findings from Aim 1, behavioral theory, and the study team's ongoing research on mobile messaging to improve ART adherence, to develop and refine structured content for a reproducible WhatsApp intervention that incorporates peer and HCW interaction. (3) Pilot the structured intervention for 6 months in another clinic and evaluate its impact on intermediate outcomes ART knowledge, depression and stigma.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Living with HIV
  • On ART
  • Aware of HIV status
  • Has access to WhatsApp
  • Literate

Treatment and study plan

Vijana-SMART

Behavioral

The Vijana-SMART intervention is a facilitated peer group, delivered through WhatsApp. Intervention messages were developed based on findings from formative interviews and social support theory, which posits that individuals experience social support through informational, instrumental, companionship and emotional forms. Groups will have approximately 25 members and will be facilitated by a study team member, by sending weekly scheduled messages, answering participant questions, and encouraging group discussion. Intervention messages were designed based on guidance from formative interviews; topics include ART adherence, medication side effects, nutritional practices, depression, social support, HIV status disclosure, stigma, positive prevention, substance use, and contraception.

Primary outcomes

  1. ART information, motivation, behavioral skills

    Time frame: 6 months

    Self-reported score on abbreviated Lifewindows IMB instrument

  2. Social support

    Time frame: 6 months

    Self-reported score on SS-B instrument

  3. Stigma

    Time frame: 6 months

    Self-reported score on abbreviated ALHIV-SS instrument

  4. ART adherence

    Time frame: 6 months

    Self-reported score on Wilson 3-item scale

  5. Depression symptoms

    Time frame: 6 months

    Self-reported score on PHQ-9 scale

  6. Resilience

    Time frame: 6 months

    Self-reported score on abbreviated Connor-Davidson scale

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Washington

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Dec 2, 2022
Registry last updated
Dec 2, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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