Using two-way texting to help HIV patients stay in care in Malawi
Two-way Texting (2wT) to Improve Patient Retention While Reducing the Healthcare Workload in High-Burden Public HIV Clinics in Malawi
This study is testing a friendly texting system to help people with HIV in Malawi stay on track with their treatment by making it easier to communicate with their healthcare providers and get reminders about their appointments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10884401 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving the retention of HIV-infected individuals in antiretroviral therapy (ART) through a two-way texting system. By utilizing mobile health (mHealth) innovations, the project aims to enhance communication between healthcare providers and patients, making it easier for patients to stay engaged in their treatment. The approach involves real-time tracking of patient visits and sending reminders or follow-ups via text messages, which can help address the challenges posed by healthcare worker shortages and resource constraints in Malawi. The study will be conducted in collaboration with local clinics that serve a large number of ART patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals living with HIV who are currently enrolled in antiretroviral therapy at participating clinics in Malawi.
Not a fit: Patients who are not receiving ART or those who are not located in the participating clinics in Malawi may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the retention rates of HIV patients in treatment, leading to better health outcomes and reduced viral loads.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that mobile health interventions can be effective in improving patient retention in various healthcare settings, suggesting a promising potential for this approach.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- University of Washington — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: O'malley, Gabrielle — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: O'malley, Gabrielle
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.