Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative Study

BackgroundThe continuing decline in AIDS-related deaths in the African region is largely driven by the steady scale-up of antiretroviral therapy. However, there are challenges to retaining people living with HIV on treatment. Call for Life Uganda (CFLU) is an interactive voic...

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Main Authors: Phoebe Kajubi, Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi, Adelline Twimukye, Agnes Bwanika Naggirinya, Maria Sarah Nabaggala, Agnes Kiragga, Barbara Castelnuovo, Rachel King
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JMIR Publications 2022-12-01
Series:JMIR Formative Research
Online Access:https://formative.jmir.org/2022/12/e36829
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author Phoebe Kajubi
Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi
Adelline Twimukye
Agnes Bwanika Naggirinya
Maria Sarah Nabaggala
Agnes Kiragga
Barbara Castelnuovo
Rachel King
author_facet Phoebe Kajubi
Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi
Adelline Twimukye
Agnes Bwanika Naggirinya
Maria Sarah Nabaggala
Agnes Kiragga
Barbara Castelnuovo
Rachel King
author_sort Phoebe Kajubi
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundThe continuing decline in AIDS-related deaths in the African region is largely driven by the steady scale-up of antiretroviral therapy. However, there are challenges to retaining people living with HIV on treatment. Call for Life Uganda (CFLU) is an interactive voice response tool using simple analogue phones. CFLU supports patients with daily pill reminders, preappointment reminders, symptom reporting and management, and weekly health promotion tips. Mobile health tools are being increasingly used in resource-limited settings but are often adopted without rigorous evaluation. ObjectiveThis qualitative study conducted at 12 months after enrollment assessed patients’ experiences, perceptions, and attitudes regarding CLFU. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative substudy within an open-label randomized controlled trial titled “Improving outcomes in HIV patients using mobile phone based interactive software support.” Data were collected through 6 focus group discussions with participants sampled based on proportion of calls responded to—<25%, between 25% and 50%, and >50%—conducted at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Mulago, and the Kasangati Health Centre IV. NVivo (version 11; QSR International) was used in the management of the data and in the coding of the emerging themes. The data were then analyzed using content thematic analysis. ResultsThere was consensus across all groups that they had more positive than negative experiences with the CFLU system. Participants who responded to >50% of the calls reported more frequent use of the specific elements of the CFLU tool and, consequently, experienced more benefits from the system than those who responded to calls less frequently. Irrespective of calls responded to, participants identified pill reminders as the most important aspect in improved quality of life, followed by health promotion tips. The most common challenge faced was difficulty with the secret personal identification number. ConclusionsFindings showed participants’ appreciation, high willingness, and interest in the intervention, CFLU, that demonstrated great perceived potential to improve their access to health care; adherence to treatment; health awareness; and, consequently, quality of life. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02953080; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02953080
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spelling doaj.art-6359e6ae0e974ff991de5b0c47902cec2023-08-28T23:23:41ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Formative Research2561-326X2022-12-01612e3682910.2196/36829Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative StudyPhoebe Kajubihttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1603-4558Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshihttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9297-1311Adelline Twimukyehttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5053-0574Agnes Bwanika Naggirinyahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-8722-4135Maria Sarah Nabaggalahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-1630-9104Agnes Kiraggahttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0969-0699Barbara Castelnuovohttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-7756-5032Rachel Kinghttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-0085-3498 BackgroundThe continuing decline in AIDS-related deaths in the African region is largely driven by the steady scale-up of antiretroviral therapy. However, there are challenges to retaining people living with HIV on treatment. Call for Life Uganda (CFLU) is an interactive voice response tool using simple analogue phones. CFLU supports patients with daily pill reminders, preappointment reminders, symptom reporting and management, and weekly health promotion tips. Mobile health tools are being increasingly used in resource-limited settings but are often adopted without rigorous evaluation. ObjectiveThis qualitative study conducted at 12 months after enrollment assessed patients’ experiences, perceptions, and attitudes regarding CLFU. MethodsWe conducted a qualitative substudy within an open-label randomized controlled trial titled “Improving outcomes in HIV patients using mobile phone based interactive software support.” Data were collected through 6 focus group discussions with participants sampled based on proportion of calls responded to—<25%, between 25% and 50%, and >50%—conducted at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Mulago, and the Kasangati Health Centre IV. NVivo (version 11; QSR International) was used in the management of the data and in the coding of the emerging themes. The data were then analyzed using content thematic analysis. ResultsThere was consensus across all groups that they had more positive than negative experiences with the CFLU system. Participants who responded to >50% of the calls reported more frequent use of the specific elements of the CFLU tool and, consequently, experienced more benefits from the system than those who responded to calls less frequently. Irrespective of calls responded to, participants identified pill reminders as the most important aspect in improved quality of life, followed by health promotion tips. The most common challenge faced was difficulty with the secret personal identification number. ConclusionsFindings showed participants’ appreciation, high willingness, and interest in the intervention, CFLU, that demonstrated great perceived potential to improve their access to health care; adherence to treatment; health awareness; and, consequently, quality of life. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT02953080; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02953080https://formative.jmir.org/2022/12/e36829
spellingShingle Phoebe Kajubi
Rosalind Parkes-Ratanshi
Adelline Twimukye
Agnes Bwanika Naggirinya
Maria Sarah Nabaggala
Agnes Kiragga
Barbara Castelnuovo
Rachel King
Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative Study
JMIR Formative Research
title Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative Study
title_full Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative Study
title_fullStr Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative Study
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative Study
title_short Perceptions and Attitudes Toward an Interactive Voice Response Tool (Call for Life Uganda) Providing Adherence Support and Health Information to HIV-Positive Ugandans: Qualitative Study
title_sort perceptions and attitudes toward an interactive voice response tool call for life uganda providing adherence support and health information to hiv positive ugandans qualitative study
url https://formative.jmir.org/2022/12/e36829
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