ABSTRACT

The Effect of WhatsApp Reminder on Medication Adherence Among HIV

Patients at Public Health Center of Semarang City
Apt. Farroh Bintang Sabiti, M.Farm., aApt.Abdur Rosyid, M.Sc., bLisa Listia
Ningrum
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Islam Sultan Agung
Semarang, Central Java, Indonesia
(E-mail: farrahbintang@unissula.ac.id)

Background: Along with technology development, a majority of the population in

Indonesia has employed WhatsApp messenger as a communication tool. Patients
infected with HIV receive anti-retroviral (ARV) treatment gradually over an extensive
period of time. Low patient adherence has emerged as a significant challenge in HIV
medication. This study aimed to investigate the effect of WhatsApp reminder on
medication adherence among HIV patients at Public Health Center of Semarang City.
Methods: This study employed a pre-experimental approach with a one-group pretest-
posttest design and a prospective data collection method. The samples taken were 51
respondents who met the inclusion criteria. The research instruments employed were
pre-test and post-test questionnaires. The data were analyzed using non-parametric
statistical test, particularly Wilcoxon test.
Results: The research results revealed that, referring to patient characteristics, the
highest number of HIV cases occurred within the age group of 25-49 years, constituting
41 (80.4%). The majority were male, counted for 49 respondents (96.1%), as opposed
to 2 female patients (3.8%). The results of ARV adherence indicate a significant
increase, from 25 respondents (49%) showing adherence with ARV medication before
the reminder to 41 (80.4%) being compliant after the reminder. According to the
Wilcoxon statistical test, a value of 0.000 (p<0.05) was obtained, suggesting an effect
of WhatsApp reminder on medication adherence among HIV patients at Public Health
Center of Semarang City.
Conclusions: In conclusion, this study reveals the significant effect of WhatsApp
reminder on medication adherence among HIV patients at Public Health Center of
Semarang City. WhatsApp reminder serves as a valuable tool for increasing adherence
to ARV medication.

Keywords: HIV; WhatsApp Reminder; Medication Adherence