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Correlates of mobile phone use in HIV care: Results from a cross-sectional study in South Africa.

Preventive medicine reports · 2015 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 2978

In logistic regression analyses, patients less likely to use mobile phones as clinic appointment reminders were those aged 45 years or older, women, and those with only primary or no schooling. Patients less likely to use mobile phones as medication reminders…

Study snapshot

PublicationPreventive medicine reports · 2015
Study typecross_sectional
Reported directionUnclear
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major disease burden worldwide. Challenges include retaining patients in care and optimizing adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). One possible solution is using mobile phones as reminder tools. The main aim of our study was to identify patient demographic groups least likely to use mobile phones as reminder tools in HIV care. DESIGN: The data came from a cross-sectional study at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto Township, South Africa. METHODS: A comprehensive questionnaire was used to interview 883 HIV infected patients receiving ART. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influence of age, gender, education level, marital status, number of sexual partners in the last three months, income level, and employment status on the use of mobile phone as reminders for clinic appointments and taking medication. RESULTS: Patient groups significantly associated with being less likely to use mobile phones as clinic appointment reminders were: a) patients 45 years or older, b) women, and c) patients with only primary or no schooling level. Patient groups significantly associated with being less likely to use mobile phones as medication reminders were: a) patients 35 years or older and b) patients with a lower monthly income. CONCLUSIONS: In this setting being a woman, of older age, lower education, and socio-economic level were risk factors for the low usage of mobile phones as reminder aids. Future studies should assimilate reasons for this, such that patient-specific barriers to implementation are identified and interventions can be tailored.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional
Effect directionunclear
PopulationHIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto Township, South Africa
Sample size883
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In logistic regression analyses, patients less likely to use mobile phones as clinic appointment reminders were those aged 45 years or older, women, and those with only primary or no schooling. Patients less likely to use mobile phones as medication reminders were those aged 35 years or older and those with lower monthly income.

Outcomes measured

  • Use of mobile phone as reminders for clinic appointments
  • Use of mobile phone as reminders for taking medication
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "mobile phone",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto Township, South Africa",
  "sample_size": 883,
  "outcomes": [
    "Use of mobile phone as reminders for clinic appointments",
    "Use of mobile phone as reminders for taking medication"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In logistic regression analyses, patients less likely to use mobile phones as clinic appointment reminders were those aged 45 years or older, women, and those with only primary or no schooling. Patients less likely to use mobile phones as medication reminders were those aged 35 years or older and those with lower monthly income.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "mobile phone",
    "HIV care",
    "ART adherence",
    "clinic appointment reminders",
    "medication reminders",
    "South Africa",
    "Soweto",
    "cross-sectional",
    "logistic regression",
    "demographics"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2015.06.010
PubMed: 26844111

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