Enhancing self-care, adjustment and engagement through mobile phones in youth with HIV.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of mobile phones in enhancing self‐care, adjustment and engagement in non‐disclosed youth living with HIV. Background: Youth aged 15–24 years represent 42% of new HIV infections globally. Youth who are aware of their HIV status generally do not disclose it or utilize HIV‐related facilities because of fear of stigma. They rely on the Internet for health maintenance information and access formal care only when immune‐compromised and in crisis. Introduction: This study shows how non‐disclosed youth living with HIV can be reached and engaged for self‐management and adjustment through mobile phone. Study design: One‐group pre‐test/post‐test experimental design was used. Methods: Mobile phones were used to give information, motivation and counselling to 19 purposively recruited non‐disclosed youth with HIV in Calabar, South‐South Nigeria. Psychological adjustment scale, modified self‐care capacity scale and patient activation measure were used to collect data. Data were analysed using PASW 18.0. Results: Scores on self‐care capacity, psychological adjustment and engagement increased significantly at post‐test. HIV‐related visits to health facilities did not improve significantly even at 6 months. Participants still preferred to consult healthcare providers for counselling through mobile phone. Discussion: Mobile phone‐based interventions are low cost, convenient, ensure privacy and are suitable for youth. Such remote health counselling enhances self‐management and positive living. Conclusion and implications for health policy: Mobile phones enhance self‐care, psychological adjustment and engagement in non‐disclosed youth living with HIV, and can be used to increase care coverage. Findings underline the importance of policies to increase access by locating, counselling and engaging HIV‐infected youth in care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]