Smartphone game to help African teens with HIV stay on treatment and get support
A Smartphone Game to Increase Engagement in Care among African Adolescents Living with HIV
A smartphone game for 15–18-year-old adolescents in Kisumu, Kenya to help them take HIV medicines, manage sexual and reproductive health, and build support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145920 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will build a Kisumu-friendly smartphone game called MyLife that you can play to learn about HIV, practice taking ART, and get medication reminders. The game uses stories and interactive choices to teach adherence, mental-health strategies, coping with stigma, disclosure, and sexual/reproductive health skills. It will include medication and refill trackers, automated reminders, and options to encourage conversations with caregivers. Researchers will try the game with adolescents living with HIV in Kisumu to see how it works in everyday life.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adolescents aged 15–18 living with HIV in or near Kisumu, Kenya who own or can use a smartphone.
Not a fit: People outside the 15–18 age range, those not living with HIV, or those without smartphone access are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the game could help adolescents with HIV stick to ART, reduce risky sexual behaviors, and improve mental well-being and social support.
How similar studies have performed: Similar digital and game-based programs have shown promise for improving ART adherence and health knowledge in youth, though narrative smartphone games are still relatively new in this setting.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winskell, S Kate — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Winskell, S Kate
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 below.