The Impact of Mobile Short Message Service Support on Patients using Anti-viral Drugs at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu

• Published in: Azărbaucan ăszac̦iliq vă farmakoterapiya jurnalı 2024-01, Vol.23 (3), p.1-9
• Main Authors: Uzochukwu, Ofonakara, Orofuke, Ngozi G, Ayirioritse, Peace I, Ogbuinya, Oliver O, Iwe, Bobbie C, Oliobi, Chinwe C, Nwa, Amuchechukwu V, Uche-Omovoh, Ifeoma C, Okoroa, Francis C, Ohanme, Eugene O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Cellular telephones; Drug resistance; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus
• ISSN: 1994-1951
• DOI: 10.61336/appj

Background: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for the treatment of HIV infection, and poor adherence can lead to drug-resistant strains and disease progression. In Nigeria, mobile SMS support has not been employed in the setting of UNTH Ituku Ozalla, Enugu. Methods: This study aimed to determine the effect of Mobile SMS support on ART adherence among adult HIV patients aged 18 years and above, confirmed HIV-positive status patients who had received antiretroviral drugs for at least one month prior to the study, and HIV positive patients attending ART clinic at UNTH who are owners of mobile phones with SMS capability. The study involved 227 participants, with the majority aged 31-40 years. Results: The intervention group had a higher proportion of good baseline adherence than the control group. The mean baseline adherence score was 89.67 in the intervention group and 90.75 in the control group. The proportion of participants with good adherence significantly increased after SMS intervention. The highest proportion of participants with good adherence was among females. Participants in the intervention group who had no basic education were less likely to be adherent than others. Non-use of alcohol and smoking were strong predictors of adherence. Conclusion: To control non-adherence, strategies to control reasons for forgetfulness should be adopted, and policy makers should consider funding programs proposing weekly mobile phone text-messaging as a means for promoting adherence to antiretroviral therapy.