Acceptability and efficacy of interactive short message service intervention in improving HIV medication adherence in Chinese antiretroviral treatment-naïve individuals

Ye Ruan,1 Xueling Xiao,2 Jia Chen,2 Xianhong Li,2 Ann Bartley Williams,3 Honghong Wang2 1Nursing Department, Second Xiangya Hospital, 2Xiangya School of Nursing, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People’s Republic of China; 3School of Nursing, Yale University, West Haven, CT, USA Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the acceptability and efficacy of interactive short message service (SMS) in improving medication adherence in antiretroviral treatment (ART)-naïve individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Hengyang, Hunan, China.Background: SMS via mobile phone has emerged as a potential tool for improving ART adherence. However, most studies used SMS only as a medication reminder, with few studies exploring the effect of comprehensive, interactive SMS.Patients and methods: In a randomized controlled trial, 100 HIV-positive patients on ART for