Mobile phone support to help young adults in Zambia manage HIV and reduce substance use
Official title: Adapting mHealth interventions to improve self-management of HIV and substance use among emerging adults in Zambia
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11134651 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will adapt a four‑session counseling program into mobile sessions and add motivational text messages to help 18–24-year-olds in Zambia living with HIV stay on treatment and cut down on alcohol or drug use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $158,831 |
| NIH project number | 5R34DA059935-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11134651 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are 18–24-year-olds in Zambia living with HIV who have difficulties with medication adherence or who use alcohol or other substances.
✕Less likely to help
People outside the 18–24 age range, those not in Zambia, individuals without reliable mobile phone access, or those needing intensive inpatient substance‑use treatment may not benefit from this mobile intervention.
What this research studies
The team will convert the in-person Healthy Choices counseling into a mobile format (mHC) and create Motivational Text Messaging (MTM) delivered through a computerized platform. They will use a Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to test which components or combinations work best for young people. The work includes development, cultural adaptation, and a pilot test with emerging adults living with HIV in Zambia. If I join, I could receive mobile counseling sessions and regular motivating texts focused on medication adherence, clinic attendance, and reducing substance use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make it easier for young adults with HIV in Zambia to maintain medication adherence, stay engaged in care, and reduce harmful substance use through convenient phone-based support.
How similar studies have gone: In-person Healthy Choices programs and other mobile/text-message adherence interventions have shown promising results, though combining and adapting these approaches for Zambian emerging adults is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Bo — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Wang, Bo
Related research
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Phone-based support to help young adults in Zambia manage HIV and reduce substance use
This project will try a mobile program with brief counseling sessions plus motivational text messages to help 18–24-year-olds in Zambia stay on HIV treatment and cut back on alcohol or drugs.
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Improving HIV self-management and reducing substance use among young adults in Zambia
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.