Social Media for ART Adherence and Retention in Adolescents and Young Adults: the Vijana-SMART Study

The Vijana-SMART intervention is a facilitated peer group, delivered through WhatsApp. Intervention messages were developed based on findings from formative interviews and social support theory, which posits that individuals experience social support through informational, instrumental, companionship and emotional forms. Groups will have approximately 25 members and will be facilitated by a study team member, by sending weekly scheduled messages, answering participant questions, and encouraging group discussion. Intervention messages were designed based on guidance from formative interviews; topics include ART adherence, medication side effects, nutritional practices, depression, social support, HIV status disclosure, stigma, positive prevention, substance use, and contraception.