Why it Worked: Participants' Insights into an mHealth Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Intervention in China.

BACKGROUND: Few Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) adherence trials investigate the reasons for intervention success or failure among HIV-positive individuals. OBJECTIVES: To conduct qualitative research to explore the reasons for effectiveness of a 6-month mHealth (mobile health) trial that improved adherence among ART patients in China. The intervention utilized Wireless Pill Containers (WPCs) to provide, real-time SMS reminders, WPC-generated adherence reports, and report-informed counseling. METHODS: We conducted in-depth interviews with 20 intervention-arm participants immediately following the trial. Sampling was purposeful to ensure inclusion of participants with varied adherence histories. Questions covered adherence barriers and facilitators, and intervention experiences. We analyzed data in nVivo using a thematic approach. RESULTS: Of participants, 14 (70%) were male; 7 (35%) had used injectable drugs. Pre-intervention, 11 were optimal adherers and 9 were suboptimal adherers, using a 95% threshold. In the final intervention month, all but 3 (85%) attained optimal adherence. Participants identified a range of adherence barriers and facilitators, and described various mechanisms for intervention success. Optimal adherers at baseline were motivated by positive adherence reports at monthly clinic visits-similar to receiving A+ grades. For suboptimal adherers, reminders facilitated the establishment of adherence-promoting routines; data-guided counseling helped identify strategies to overcome specific barriers. CONCLUSION: Different behavioral mechanisms appear to explain the success of an mHealth adherence intervention among patients with varying adherence histories. Positive reinforcement was effective for optimal adherers, while struggling patients benefitted from reminders and data-informed counseling. These findings are relevant for the design and scalability of mHealth interventions and warrant further investigation.

We don't dare to tell her we don't know where to begin: Disclosure experiences and challenges among adolescents living with HIV and their caregivers in China.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: With increasing access to antiretroviral therapy, HIV-infected youth are living longer, but are vulnerable as they navigate the transition to adulthood while managing a highly stigmatized condition. Knowing one's HIV status is critical to assuming responsibility for one's health. The process of disclosure to adolescents living with HIV is not well understood globally, even less so in China. To help address this gap, we explored practices for disclosure to adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) among Chinese caregivers and clinicians, and the disclosure experiences of the adolescents themselves using qualitative methods. DESIGN AND SETTING: The study was conducted in 2014 at the Guangxi Center for Disease Control and Prevention ART (CDC-ART) clinic in Nanning, China. We used a qualitative design, incorporating in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted IDIs with 19 adolescent/caregiver dyads and five FGDs with adolescents and clinicians. Adolescent participants were aged 10-15 years, and had contracted HIV perinatally. Using NVivoTM software, we summarized major themes. RESULTS: Only 6/19 caregivers reported disclosing to their child; matched adolescents' statements indicate that 9/19 children knew their HIV status. Caregivers planned to disclose when children were 14 years or older. Concerns about stigma toward children and families were associated with reluctance to disclose. CONCLUSION: Disclosure to adolescents living with HIV in China was delayed compared with recommended guidelines. Culturally appropriate disclosure strategies should be developed, focused on supporting caregivers and de-stigmatizing HIV.