• 2 months 3 weeks ago Help us improve our website: http://t.co/vY9vRzmYRH! Please take our visitor survey: http://t.co/8gY0wRZtGx. Thank you...
  • 2 months 3 weeks ago 1st European Research Forum on Healthy Ageing: 03 Sept in Bxl. Policy makers, scientists, industrials: save the date! http://t.co/6TXrBI5rdt
  • 3 months 5 days ago Gender inequalities in health: a matter of policies according to @sophieproject http://t.co/TzwZzXko3g
  • 4 months 2 days ago 1/3 of cancer patients killed by 'fat-burning' process termed cachexia, @CNIO_Cancer researchers say http://t.co/GjfipsdG2R
  • 5 months 4 hours ago New EU research project @pneumonp aims to tackle antibiotic resistance via inhalable nano therapeutics #nanomedicine http://t.co/VQN9WHojG2
  • 5 months 2 weeks ago Urban renewal improves the health of neighbours in Barcelona according to EU-funded project @sophieproject http://t.co/F0mKCdPBZ5
  • 5 months 3 weeks ago Check this article on #CommHERE: how to spread the word about research and reach out beyond the scientific community http://t.co/VDcKVDEfcc
  • 6 months 2 weeks ago Scientists @CNIO_Cancer among the 40 most important global researchers http://t.co/Rc0hIsq6dN
  • 6 months 4 weeks ago 2nd workshop @CIBER_ISCIII to strengthen the EU‐LAC Health Research Cooperation http://t.co/93qLQObcQj
  • 8 months 2 weeks ago The European Symposium in Drug Synthesis @unisiena will take place on May 18-23. You can register until April 15!! http://t.co/V8kxQIev9S

HIVIND

portrait of Dr. Ayesha De Costa

Dr Ayesha De Costa

Scientific Coordinator of HIVIND, based at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden

Research field

Drug Adherence

If you like this
If you want to know more
Research Profile

Who?

Ayesha De Costa has an MD from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences and a PhD from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. She explains: “We asked ourselves: What innovative solutions are ubiquitously available in India and can support healthcare even in low income settings? The mobile phone for certain!”.

Why?

Treatment of HIV/AIDS normally includes the use of multiple antiretroviral drugs. These lower the concentration of the HIV virus in the blood. As the antiretroviral programme is scaled up in India, adherence is a key issue that needs to be addressed. Non-adherence can cause viral resistance, which has public health consequences.

What?

We are trying to find the best way to ensure that HIV patients take their antiretroviral medicines at the right time without missing any doses. In other words, we want to improve drug adherence. In this study, we will evaluate an approach in which patients are provided support in taking daily medication via a mobile phone.

How?

Scientists from India, Sweden, Vietnam and Finland collaborate in HIVIND. Study participants get a free mobile phone and are asked to send an SMS daily to confirm that they have taken their medicines. They will also get voice reminders and a counsellor. The outcome will be compared with patients who receive routine counselling.

Using new technology to improve drug adherence in HIV patients

In the Picture
In the Picture
World Health Organization Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HIV/AIDS basics UNAIDS PDF versionPDF version
Image credits

Background image: HIVIND

Portrait of the project coordinator: HIVIND

Timeline (in chronological order): HIVIND