“Yes, I’m reminded, but it doesn’t mean I’m taking them”: Experiences with Short Message Service Reminder Use in Real-time Monitoring of HIV PrEP among Young Women in Kenya
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Author(s)
Ogello, Vallery
Ngure, Kenneth
Thuo, Nicholas
Burns, Bridget
Rono, Bernard
Oware, Kevin
Kiptiness, Catherine
Mugo, Nelly
Bukusi, Elizabeth
Garrison, Lindsey
Date Issued
July 30, 2022
Publisher
Springer US
Citation
Ogello, Vallery, Ngure, Kenneth, Thuo, Nicholas, Burns, Bridget, Rono, Bernard et al. 2022. "“Yes, I’m reminded, but it doesn’t mean I’m taking them”: Experiences with Short Message Service Reminder Use in Real-time Monitoring of HIV PrEP among Young Women in Kenya."
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Author's final manuscript
Abstract
Abstract
Adherence to oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is challenging, and cellular technology offers a promising opportunity for support. However, a recent randomized controlled trial found that SMS reminders did not improve PrEP adherence. We used qualitative methods to explore the trial participants’ experiences with the SMS intervention. We conducted serial in-depth interviews with 54 young Kenyan women, using inductive and deductive content analysis . Initially, SMS reminders were highly acceptable. Participants expressed enthusiasm with receiving the reminders because of the coded nature of the SMS reminders; they also helped in ‘habit forming’ with daily adherence. However, overtime, participants reported growing concerns about privacy, self-efficacy, and responsibility and SMS fatigue. Participants also reported other challenges, including phone loss, poor telephone network, and lack of electricity. Further research to explore if SMS reminders in alternative formats or with different frequency is needed, in addition to identification of alternate adherence support strategies.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Urban Studies and Planning
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Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use.
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DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-022-03744-z
