Developing and testing a web-based platform for antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence support among adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV

Ann-Margaret Dunn Navarra; Maurade Gormley; Eva Liang; Claire Loughran; Allison Vorderstrasse; David R Garcia; Michael G Rosenberg; Jason Fletcher; Lloyd A Goldsamt

doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100263

Developing and testing a web-based platform for antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence support among adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV

PEC Innov. 2024 Feb 12:4:100263. doi: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100263. eCollection 2024 Dec.

Authors

Ann-Margaret Dunn Navarra¹, Maurade Gormley², Eva Liang³, Claire Loughran³, Allison Vorderstrasse⁴, David R Garcia⁵, Michael G Rosenberg⁶, Jason Fletcher⁵, Lloyd A Goldsamt⁵

Affiliations

¹ StonyBrook University, School of Nursing, 101 Nicolls Road, Health Sciences Center, Level 2, StonyBrook, NY 11794, USA.
² University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, 231 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA.
³ New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 380 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA.
⁴ University of Massachusetts Amherst, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, 651 N Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA.
⁵ New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA.
⁶ Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.

Abstract

Objective: Describe the development and testing of a web-based platform for antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence support among HIV+ adolescents and young adults (AYA) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods: A seven-member multi-disciplinary team operationalized the flat, password protected, web-based platform. Manualized protocols guided the objectives and content for each of the eight web-based sessions. Team members evaluated usability and content validity. Client satisfaction and perceived ease of use was evaluated with the first ten HIV+ AYA participants.

Results: The web-based platform was developed, evaluated, refined, implemented and pilot tested between September 2020 to April 2022. Usability was rated as high; the evaluation of content validity showed an excellent fit between session content and objectives. HIV+ AYA participants (mean age = 24.2 years) were satisfied with the quality, type, and amount of support/education received, and found the platform easy to use, operate, and navigate. Average time spent per session was 6.5 min.

Conclusion: Findings support the usability, validity, acceptability, and feasibility of this web-based platform for ART adherence support among HIV+ AYA.

Innovation: Our research and findings are responsive to research gaps and the need for transparency in the methodological development and testing of web-based control arms for ART adherence support among HIV+ AYA.

Keywords: Adherence; Behavioral interventions; Control condition; HIV; Health disparities; Patient education; Randomized controlled trials; Retention in care; Technology; Web-based platform; mHealth.