Using Social Media to Improve ART Retention and Treatment Outcomes Among YLHIV in Nigeria

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

TERMINATED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

355 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2018-09-04

Study Completion Date

2019-11-30

Brief Summary

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A randomized control trial to test the effectiveness of a structured online support group, SMART (Social Media to improve ART Retention in Treatment) Connections, to improve retention in HIV care services among youth living with HIV (YLHIV) in Nigeria.

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Detailed Description

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Study aim is to examine the effect of an online structured support group intervention (SMART Connections) designed to improve retention in HIV care services among youth ages 15-21 years living with HIV enrolled in ART services. A randomized control trial in which youth living with HIV (YLHIV) will be allocated to standard of care (control) or standard of care plus an online support group and followed for 12 months. Structured questionnaires will be administered to participants at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Clinical data will also be extracted on participants. In-depth interviews with a subset of participants and intervention implementers will be completed at the end of the intervention period. Although participants will be recruited from health facilities, the intervention is conducted "virtually," by trained facilitators, not within the health facilities.

Conditions

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Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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SMART Connections

The intervention components include:

* Informational messages that reflect the content of the structured group counseling curriculum and are posted to the Facebook group wall on a regular basis for approximately 4 to 5 months
* Moderated, closed group chats in a "secret" Facebook group where YLHIV can interact with their peers and with a trained support group facilitator
* Access to a trained facilitator via Facebook Messenger for the duration of the intervention who will be able to provide information or basic counseling on ART/HIV care related issues, with referral to health care services as needed

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

SMART Connections

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

SMART Connections: Trained facilitators will deliver key informational messages and moderate online group discussions. The informational messages have been developed from key messages identified in each of the Positive Connections curriculum sessions. Each SMART Connections group will consist of approximately 15 to 20 YLHIV. Each online support group will begin with one in-person group meeting with the facilitator. During this meeting, participants meet one another and the facilitators. Facilitators will describe the intervention and set ground rules for participation. Ground rules will be discussed and accepted by the group members, but at a minimum, group members will be advised not to talk about what is discussed in the online group with people outside of the group.

Control

All study participants, in both study arms, will receive standard services currently available to YLHIV in these facilities and communities. The services currently include: routine clinical care for HIV treatment including laboratory testing (CD4, viral load tests); active case management by community volunteers with intensive adherence support during the first 4 weeks of ART; adherence support through phone calls and SMS (short messaging service) reminders; and enhanced adherence counseling for patients with unsuppressed viral loads.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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SMART Connections

SMART Connections: Trained facilitators will deliver key informational messages and moderate online group discussions. The informational messages have been developed from key messages identified in each of the Positive Connections curriculum sessions. Each SMART Connections group will consist of approximately 15 to 20 YLHIV. Each online support group will begin with one in-person group meeting with the facilitator. During this meeting, participants meet one another and the facilitators. Facilitators will describe the intervention and set ground rules for participation. Ground rules will be discussed and accepted by the group members, but at a minimum, group members will be advised not to talk about what is discussed in the online group with people outside of the group.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* HIV positive and know their status
* Actively on ART for less than 12 months, including newly initiating patients
* Age 15 to 24 years
* Can demonstrate basic literacy necessary to participate in online chats

Exclusion Criteria

* Unable to attend the initial intervention group meeting for treatment participants
* Currently enrolled in another research study related to HIV service retention or ART adherence
* Critically or severely ill requiring hospitalization or such that the individual is unable to provide informed consent at the time of study recruitment

Minimum Eligible Age

15 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

24 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes