A Qualitative Study Investigating the Use of a Mobile Phone Short Message Service Designed to Improve HIV Adherence and Retention in Care in Canada (WelTel BC1)

Patient engagement in care and adherence to medication are critical to achieving the full benefits of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people with HIV infection. A randomized controlled trial in Kenya, WelTelKenya1, showed that an interactive mobile phone text-messaging intervention can improve adherence and viral load suppression. We conducted a pilot study to adapt the WelTel intervention for HIV-infected clients (n = 25) at an HIV clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia. Between April and June 2012, we recruited five participants from five groups: youth (14-24 years), mature (≥50 years), English as a second language, remote (≥3 hours travel time to clinic), and nonsuppressed (CD4+ T cell count <200 cells/mm3 and viral load ≥250 copies/mL on two consecutive occasions). Participants described the intervention as a useful way to communicate with health care providers, thus increasing the ability to access services, report side effects, and attend appointments.