I read something today about efforts in Kenya to help those with HIV improve their health. A study done by the University of British Columbia got 538 HIV positive patients between 2007 and 2009 to be in their study (Graber, 2010). Half of the patients would receive weekly text messages and were asked to respond within 48 hours (Graber, 2010). These text messages had nothing to do with reminding them to take their medicine. These messages would simply ask "How are you?". Recipients would respond back that they are doing well or that they are having problems. If there was a problem or no response then a clinician would follow up with the patient. "The ones who received the texts were 12% more likely than the non-recipients to have undetectable levels of the virus a year after being infected" (Graber, 2010). The participants who were text ed said that they felt like someone cared about them which helped them to take better care of themselves. I love that Kenya is using a technology that is so prevalent in today's society. Although I don't know how prevalent cell phones are in Kenya, they are more than a common part of Americans lives. If it worked in Kenya it may be able to work in the U.S. Everyone in the U.S. pretty much has a cell phone and texts, it offers the perfect opportunity to reach out to those with HIV and help them take better care of themselves.
On a side note, since I have been keeping up with it, Vivid Entertainment (a porn production company) will resume filming this week. Vivid, as well as some other production companies stopped filming after an adult star tested positive for HIV. Steve Hirsch the Vivid co-founder stated, "We will, of course, continue to require recent test results for all performers in our movies and will continue to take all necessary precautions to assure their health and safety" (SFVBJ, 2010).
Did You Know?
"Forty-eight states, including the District of Columbia, do not offer pregnant women screening for HIV/AIDS" (Elan, 2010).
References:
Graber, C. (2010, November 10). Text message outreach improves HIV patients outcomes. Retrieved from http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=text-message-outreach-improves-hiv-10-11-10
SFVBJ.(2010, November 8). Cameras roll again for vivid films. Retrieved from http://www.sfvbj.com/news/2010/nov/08/cameras-roll-again-vivid-films/
Elan, S. (2010). Shackling pregnant women spurs prison reform push. Retrieved from http://www.womensradio.com/articles/Shackling-Pregnant-Women-Spurs-Prison-Reform-Push/7166.html
I think that is such a great idea! With the technology we have today to be able to just send a "How are you?" text to give sense of feeling that someone does care for you is great. The fact that it did give positive results with people putting more of an effort to take care themselves is wonderful. Hopefully there will be a bigger push for other strategies to help battle this epidemic.
ReplyDeletesad that 48 states don't offer HIV/AIDS screening for pregnant women. I think that it is awesome Kenya is using technology though. It is true the mind is a powerful thing to be able to have the feeling that someone else cared to be able to turn so many peoples viral loads to non detectable. I think one has to keep a positive mind in order to stay healthy.
ReplyDeleteThere are doctor's office in Orlando that use to call their patients to remind them to take their medications. Now with text messaging it might be easier to do with a computer program so an office staff person isn't tied up all day calling. Of course it is also easier to program phones to remind a person to take their pills.
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