Predicting viral load suppression by self-reported adherence, pharmacy refill counts and real time medication monitoring among people living with HIV in Tanzania.

Introduction: Monitoring of adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) is of utmost importance to prevent treatment failure. Several measures to monitor adherence have been applied in low-resource settings and they all have pros and cons. Our objective was to examine whether any of the following adherence measures is a better predictor of participants' viral load suppression: (1) self-report, (2) pharmacy refill count, (3) Real Time Medication Monitoring (RTMM), (4) a combination of self-report and pharmacy refill count or (5) all three adherence assessment methods combined.

Effect of Digital Adherence Tools on Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment Among Adults Living With HIV in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Lifelong adherence to antiretroviral treatment remains challenging for people living with HIV (PLHIV). The aim of this study was to investigate whether any of 2 digital adherence tools could improve adherence among PLHIV in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.

Methods: We performed a parallel 3-arm, nonblinded, randomized controlled trial with 1:1:1 allocation.

"I Wish to Continue Receiving the Reminder Short Messaging Service": A Mixed Methods Study on the Acceptability of Digital Adherence Tools Among Adults Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Treatment in Tanzania.

Introduction: Digital Adherence Tools (DAT) to promote adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) for HIV are being increasingly adopted globally, however their effectiveness and acceptability in limited resource settings has been challenging. In this study, we examine the acceptability of DATs to improve adherence to ART.

Methods: This study was part of a three-arm randomized controlled trial (REMIND) which investigated the effect of two different DAT's: SMS text messages (SMS) or real-time medication monitoring (RTMM) on treatment adherence; compared to standard of care.

Implementation and effectiveness of evriMED with short messages service (SMS) reminders and tailored feedback compared to standard care on adherence to treatment among tuberculosis patients in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: proposal for a cluster randomized controlled trial.

Background: Adherence to tuberculosis (TB) treatment is challenging because of many factors. The World Health Organization has recommended the use of digital adherence monitoring technologies in its End TB Strategy. However, evidence on improving adherence is limited.

Feasibility of Using Short Message Service and In-Depth Interviews to Collect Data on Contraceptive Use Among Young, Unmarried, Sexually Active Men in Moshi, Tanzania, and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Mixed Methods Study With a Longitudinal Follow-Up.

Background: Data on contraceptive needs and use among young unmarried men are limited. Conventional ways of data collection may lead to limited and unreliable information on contraceptive use due to sensitivity of the topic, as many young men feel ashamed to discuss their behavior of using contraceptives. As short message service (SMS) is anonymous and a commonly used means of communication, we believe that if deployed, it will create a promising user-friendly method of data collection.