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Publication Profiles

B-OK: A Visual and Tactile Tool for HIV Treatment Adherence Support in a United States Urban Center

Citation

Richterman A, Klaiman T, Palma D, et al. B-OK: A Visual and Tactile Tool for HIV Treatment Adherence Support in a United States Urban Center. medRxiv. 2024:2024.02.28.24303498. doi:10.1101/2024.02.28.24303498

Implementation stage:

Implementation

Implementation outcomes reported:

Not applicable

Continuum target addressed:

ART adherence, Engagement in treatment (including retention and re-engagement), Viral suppression

Geography:

Philadelphia County-PA

Study Participant Classification:

Recipients of care

Plain Language Objectives

The researchers tested a hands-on teaching tool designed to explain how HIV treatment protects health and prevents transmission. They examined whether clients understood these ideas differently after using it.

Plain Language Abstract

Understanding how HIV treatment protects health and prevents sexual transmission can support medication adherence. Researchers evaluated B-OK Bottles, a visual and hands-on teaching tool designed using behavioral and human-centered design principles. They enrolled 118 adults with HIV from four case-management agencies in Philadelphia. Everyone completed surveys before and after the activity, and 52 participants completed an interview either before or after it. Participants had a median age of 55; 65% were male, 72% were non-Hispanic Black, and 98% reported receiving HIV treatment. After exposure to B-OK, participants showed improved awareness of HIV terminology, changed treatment attitudes, and greater intention to rely on treatment for preventing transmission. Interview participants similarly described clearer understanding of “undetectable equals untransmittable,” meaning treatment can reduce HIV in the blood enough to prevent sexual transmission. Because the study used pre-post comparisons without a randomized control, it cannot prove the tool caused these changes. The authors recommended further evaluation of its effect on adherence support.

Key Takeaways

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