📖 ABSTRACT/OVERVIEW
The convergence of HIV infection and type 2 diabetes mellitus is emerging as a significant clinical challenge in Nigeria, driven partly by antiretroviral therapy-associated metabolic side effects and shared risk factors. Managing adherence to complex dual-disease regimens demands innovative, scalable approaches of which digital health interventions offer substantial promise. This longitudinal study investigated the impact of pharmacist-coordinated digital health pharmacy interventions, including SMS reminders, mobile application adherence tracking, and teleconsultation, on medication adherence and clinical outcomes in HIV-diabetes comorbid patients in South West Nigeria. A randomized controlled trial design was employed, recruiting 240 comorbid patients from tertiary hospitals in Lagos and Ogun States and randomly assigning them to digital intervention or standard care arms over 18 months. Primary outcomes were combined adherence to antiretroviral and antidiabetic regimens measured by the Medication Event Monitoring System cap and pharmacy refill records, viral load suppression, and glycated hemoglobin. Secondary outcomes included hospitalizations, quality of life, and patient digital health technology acceptance. The intervention arm demonstrated significantly superior adherence at 12 months, with 74 percent achieving high adherence compared to 49 percent in standard care. Viral suppression was achieved in 81 percent versus 62 percent, and glycated hemoglobin was significantly lower in intervention patients. Digital technology acceptance was high and sustained throughout the study. These findings establish digital pharmacy interventions as effective and acceptable tools for managing complex comorbid populations in South West Nigeria. Keywords: digital health, medication adherence, HIV-diabetes comorbidity, randomized controlled trial, South West Nigeria
Need Complete Chapters of the Above Topic?
Get high-quality, Zero-AI research materials with current citations.
Request via WhatsApp 💬