The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral load suppression (VLS) constitute one of the key challenges to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially during adolescence. This trial aimed at assessing the impact of short message services (SMS) or peer home visi...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | AIDS Research and Therapy |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-025-00746-4 |
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| author | Alice Ketchaji Joseph Fokam Felix Assah Francis Ateba Martial Lantche Wandji Joelle Nounouce Bouba Pamen Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko Cedric Dylan Nana Seugnou Emmanuel Kah Alain Fouda Atangana Jerome Ateudjieu |
| author_facet | Alice Ketchaji Joseph Fokam Felix Assah Francis Ateba Martial Lantche Wandji Joelle Nounouce Bouba Pamen Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko Cedric Dylan Nana Seugnou Emmanuel Kah Alain Fouda Atangana Jerome Ateudjieu |
| author_sort | Alice Ketchaji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral load suppression (VLS) constitute one of the key challenges to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially during adolescence. This trial aimed at assessing the impact of short message services (SMS) or peer home visits (PHV) on adherence to ART and VL suppression among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) in Cameroon. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from July 2018 to February 2019 at the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaounde. Eligible ALWHIV (15–19 years), with a fully disclosed HIV status, with availability of phone and guardian’s consent, were randomly assigned to receive either daily SMS or bi-weekly PHV for a six-months period. The control-group received standard of care according to the national guidelines. Study investigators and participants were not blinded to the interventions group allocation, and no adverse events or side effects were observed. Adjusted logistic regression was used to assess the impact of interventions on outcomes. The study was approved by The Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry with PACTR201904582515723 at ( www.pactr.org ). Results Adherence to ART increased in the PHV (aRR: 4.3; 95% CI: 2.2–8.3; p < 0.001) and SMS (aRR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1–5.3; p < 0.001) groups compared to the control-group. Likewise, VL suppression was higher in PHV (aRR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.9–7.5 p < 0.001) and SMS (aRR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.8–5.4; p < 0.001) groups compared to the control-group. Based on CI, both interventions showed similar benefits on improving adherence and VLS. Conclusions Among ALHIV, SMS or PHV contribute substantially to improving adherence and VL suppression among ALWHIV. Implementing such strategies would support efforts in eliminating pediatric AIDS in low- and middle-income countries. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7c5cc61307e047a18a3439c2bbe70e01 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1742-6405 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| series | AIDS Research and Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-7c5cc61307e047a18a3439c2bbe70e012025-08-20T02:55:29ZengBMCAIDS Research and Therapy1742-64052025-05-012211810.1186/s12981-025-00746-4The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trialAlice Ketchaji0Joseph Fokam1Felix Assah2Francis Ateba3Martial Lantche Wandji4Joelle Nounouce Bouba Pamen5Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko6Cedric Dylan Nana Seugnou7Emmanuel Kah8Alain Fouda Atangana9Jerome Ateudjieu10Department of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of BueaVirology Laboratory, Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for research on HIV/AIDS prevention and managementDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaounde 1Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of GarouaDepartment of Epidemiology, School of Health Sciences, Catholic University for Central AfricaDepartment of Financial Resources and Property, Ministry of Public HealthResearch Unit of Applied Biology and Ecology, Department of Animal Biology, Faculty of Science, University of DschangDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of MontagnesDepartment of Public Health and Hygiene, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of BueaCameroonian network of positive youthsDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of DschangAbstract Background Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral load suppression (VLS) constitute one of the key challenges to control human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), especially during adolescence. This trial aimed at assessing the impact of short message services (SMS) or peer home visits (PHV) on adherence to ART and VL suppression among adolescents living with HIV (ALWHIV) in Cameroon. Methods A randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted from July 2018 to February 2019 at the Mother and Child Center of the Chantal Biya Foundation in Yaounde. Eligible ALWHIV (15–19 years), with a fully disclosed HIV status, with availability of phone and guardian’s consent, were randomly assigned to receive either daily SMS or bi-weekly PHV for a six-months period. The control-group received standard of care according to the national guidelines. Study investigators and participants were not blinded to the interventions group allocation, and no adverse events or side effects were observed. Adjusted logistic regression was used to assess the impact of interventions on outcomes. The study was approved by The Pan-African Clinical Trials Registry with PACTR201904582515723 at ( www.pactr.org ). Results Adherence to ART increased in the PHV (aRR: 4.3; 95% CI: 2.2–8.3; p < 0.001) and SMS (aRR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.1–5.3; p < 0.001) groups compared to the control-group. Likewise, VL suppression was higher in PHV (aRR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.9–7.5 p < 0.001) and SMS (aRR: 3.2; 95% CI: 1.8–5.4; p < 0.001) groups compared to the control-group. Based on CI, both interventions showed similar benefits on improving adherence and VLS. Conclusions Among ALHIV, SMS or PHV contribute substantially to improving adherence and VL suppression among ALWHIV. Implementing such strategies would support efforts in eliminating pediatric AIDS in low- and middle-income countries.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-025-00746-4HIVAdolescentsShort message servicesPeers home visitsAdherence to ARTViral load suppression |
| spellingShingle | Alice Ketchaji Joseph Fokam Felix Assah Francis Ateba Martial Lantche Wandji Joelle Nounouce Bouba Pamen Godfroy Rostant Pokam Djoko Cedric Dylan Nana Seugnou Emmanuel Kah Alain Fouda Atangana Jerome Ateudjieu The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial AIDS Research and Therapy HIV Adolescents Short message services Peers home visits Adherence to ART Viral load suppression |
| title | The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | The impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among HIV-Infected adolescents in Cameroon: a randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | impact of short message service reminders or peer home visits on adherence to antiretroviral therapy and viral load suppression among hiv infected adolescents in cameroon a randomized controlled trial |
| topic | HIV Adolescents Short message services Peers home visits Adherence to ART Viral load suppression |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-025-00746-4 |
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