Improving Linkage to and Retention in Care in Newly Diagnosed HIV-Positive Patients Using Smartphones in South Africa: Randomized Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

South Africa provides free antiretroviral therapy for almost 5 million people living with HIV, but only 71% of the eligible people are on treatment, representing a shortfall in the care cascade, especially among men and youth. Many developing countries have expanded access to smartphones; success in health apps raises the possibility of improving this cascade.

Objective

SmartLink is a health app for Android smartphones providing HIV-related laboratory results, information, support, and appointment reminders to engage and link patients to care. This study aimed to evaluate the ability of SmartLink to improve linkage to care for HIV-positive smartphone owners.

Methods

This study was a multisite randomized controlled trial in Johannesburg. The intervention arm

SUBMITTER: Venter WDF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6465976 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature