Using an Electronic Medication Event-Monitoring System for Antiretroviral Therapy Self-Management Among African American Women Living With HIV in Rural Florida: Cohort Study.
Robert James LuceroRenessa S WilliamsTanisia EsalomiPaula Alexander-DelpechChrista L CookRagnhildur I BjarnadottirPublished in: JMIR formative research (2020)
This pilot study on the use and evaluation of the Wisepill MEMS among AAWH in rural Florida is the first such study in the United States. The findings of this study are encouraging because 10 out of 12 participants consistently used the MEMS, there were relatively few failures, and objective adjusted daily and overall subjective ART adherence were very similar. On the basis of these findings, we think researchers should consider using the Wisepill MEMS in future studies of AAWH and people living with HIV in the United States after taking into account our practical suggestions. The following practical considerations are suggested when measuring objective medication adherence: (1) before using an MEMS, be familiar with the targeted populations' characteristics; (2) choose an MEMS that aligns with the participants' day-to-day activities; (3) ensure the MEMS' features and resulting data support the research goals; (4) assess the match among the user's ability, wireless features of the MEMS, and the geographic location of the participants; and (5) consider the cost of MEMS and the research budget.