Feasibility and Efficacy of Text-Messaging to Promote Care Among Trauma Patients Screened for HIV at an Urban Tertiary Emergency Department in Tanzania

Abstract BackgroundDue the high prevalence of Human Immune Virus (HIV), provider-initiated HIV testing for patients attending any health care setting is recommended. However, follow-up and linkage to care by those tested remains poor. We determined the feasibility and efficacy of text-messaging to promote follow-up among otherwise healthy trauma patients who underwent provider-initiated HIV testing and counseling at an Emergency Department (ED) in Tanzania. Material and methodsThis randomized controlled trial was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) ED between September 2019 to February 2020. Adult trauma patients consenting to HIV testing and follow-up text messaging were randomized to standard care (pre and post-test counseling) or standard care plus a series of 3 text-message reminders for follow-up in an HIV clinic, if positive, or retesting, if negative. Investigators blinded to study assignment called participants 2-months after the ED visit if HIV positive, or 4 months if HIV negative. We compared the proportion of people in the intervention and control groups completing recommended follow- up. Secondary outcomes were proportion accepting testing, agreeing to receive SMS and follow-up compliance by HIV status. ResultsOf 290 patients approached, 255 (87.9%) opted-in for testing and consented to the study. The median age of the study population was 29 [IQR 24-40] years. 127 (49.8%) were randomized to the intervention group and 128 (50.2%) to the control group. The short message service (SMS) system verified that 381 text messages in total were received. We traced 242 (94.9%) participants: 124 (51.2%) from intervention group and 118 (48.8%) controls. 100 (39.2%) subjects reported attending a follow-up visit, of which 77 (60.6%) were from the intervention group and 23 (17.9%) were controls. (RR = 3.4, 95%CI (2.3-5.0) resulting in number needed to treat (NNT) of 2.3. Of 246 HIV negative participants, 37% went for repeat-screening: 59% of those in the intervention group and 16% in the control group (RR= 3.7, P =<0.0001, NNT 2.3). Among 9 positive patients, all 5 in the intervention group and 3 of 4 controls had follow-up visits. ConclusionAutomated text message is a feasible and effective way to increase follow up in HIV tested individuals in a limited income country.