Perceptions of SMS content for Pregnant and Postpartum Kenyan women Infected with HIV

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2017-06Background: Efficacy of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) depends largely on treatment adherence, which has been a critical issue among pregnant women in Kenya. Mobile health technologies (mHealth) have been proposed as one approach that may help individuals optimize treatment adherence. Previous studies have shown the efficacy of Short Messaging Services (SMS) to improve ART adherence, but very few studies have looked at the impact of SMS on ART adherence within the context of Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT). Objective: This qualitative study explores women’s preferences for SMS content related to engagement in HIV care, and maternal and child health (MCH), during and after pregnancy. Methods: Ten focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with HIV infected pregnant women seeking antenatal care services, or HIV positive postpartum women who had an uninfected child