title: Enhancing self-care, adjustment and engagement through mobile phones in youth with HIV.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of mobile phones in enhancing self-care, adjustment and engagement in non-disclosed youth living with HIV.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Youth aged 15-24 years represent 42% of new HIV infections globally. Youth who are aware of their HIV status generally do not disclose it or utilize HIV-related facilities because of fear of stigma. They rely on the Internet for health maintenance information and access formal care only when immune-compromised and in crisis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This study shows how non-disclosed youth living with HIV can be reached and engaged for self-management and adjustment through mobile phone.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-group pre-test/post-test experimental design was used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mobile phones were used to give information, motivation and counselling to 19 purposively recruited non-disclosed youth with HIV in Calabar, South-South Nigeria. Psychological adjustment scale, modified self-care capacity scale and patient activation measure were used to collect data. Data were analysed using PASW 18.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Scores on self-care capacity, psychological adjustment and engagement increased significantly at post-test. HIV-related visits to health facilities did not improve significantly even at 6 months. Participants still preferred to consult healthcare providers for counselling through mobile phone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mobile phone-based interventions are low cost, convenient, ensure privacy and are suitable for youth. Such remote health counselling enhances self-management and positive living.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mobile phones enhance self-care, psychological adjustment and engagement in non-disclosed youth living with HIV, and can be used to increase care coverage. Findings underline the importance of policies to increase access by locating, counselling and engaging HIV-infected youth in care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Samson-Akpan
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Etowa
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Akpabio
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: John
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D040421:Cell Phone; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D012648:Self Care; D057545:Social Stigma; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: AIDS; Communication; Community; Counselling; HIV; Health Promotion; Information Technology; Mobile Phones; Nursing