Effect of an interactive text-messaging service on patient retention during the first year of HIV care in Kenya (WelTel Retain): an open-label, randomised parallel-group study

Background: Retention of patients in HIV care is crucial to ensure timely treatment initiation, viral suppression, and to avert AIDS-related deaths. We did a randomised trial to determine whether a text-messaging intervention improved retention during the first year of HIV care.

Van der Kop, M. L., S. Muhula, P. I. Nagide, L. Thabane, L. Gelmon, P. O. Awiti, B. Abunah, L. B. Kyomuhangi, M. A. Budd, C. Marra, A. Patel, S. Karanja, E.J. Mills, A.M. Ekstrom and R.T. Lester (2018). “Effect of an interactive text-messaging service on patient retention during the first year of HIV care in Kenya (WelTel Retain): an open-label, randomised parallel-group study.” The Lancet Public Health 3(3): e143-e152. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29361433/