title: A pilot study using interactive SMS support groups to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission in South Africa.
abstract: We investigated the feasibility of using mobile phone text messaging (SMS) to promote adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected pregnant women recently diagnosed with HIV. Seven HIV-positive women (15-33 weeks gestation) from two urban antenatal clinics received mobile phones and were invited to use text messaging to discuss HIV, health and pregnancy over a 12-week period. All participants were connected to each other and to a clinician who guided the group and answered questions via group SMS messaging. A total of 1018 individual messages were sent regarding medical and psychosocial topics related to HIV and mother-to-child HIV transmission. Participants sent an average of 16 messages per enrolled, technology-problem-free week. Half the messages (51%) concerned medical information, and the remainder concerned social comments or addressed psychological matters. Four post-intervention interviews with participants revealed overall satisfaction and participants recommended that the group be offered in the future. The pilot project's anonymity, non-rigid nature and remote access allowed it to overcome stigma and logistical challenges where a conventional support intervention would probably have failed.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Medicine, Mailstop 1-1000, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030-3498, USA. aldean@texaschildrens.org
authors.forename: Andrea Lach
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Dean
authors.forename: Jennifer D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Makin
authors.forename: Anna S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Kydd
authors.forename: Maurice
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Biriotti
authors.forename: Brian W C
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Forsyth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057545:Social Stigma; D013019:South Africa; D060145:Text Messaging / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult