Impact of an alarm device on medication compliance in women in Mombasa, Kenya

Abstract

A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and acceptability of an alarm device for improving medication compliance among women in resource poor countries. Study participants were given a one-month supply of daily multi-vitamins in an electronic medication vial. Women randomly received either an alarmed vial or a non-alarmed vial. Sixty per cent of women had good compliance (defined as 95% ≥ of pills ingested). Women randomized to use the alarmed vial were significantly more likely to have good compliance than those in the non-alarmed control group (82% vs 36%, P < 0.001). Vial acceptability was high and 99% of participants said they would choose to use the vial again. In conclusion, the alarm device was found to significantly improve medication adherence rates and may be particularly beneficial for improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-1 infected persons in developing countries.