Background: Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with billions of people living in malaria transmission areas. Patient adherence to prescribed antimalarial medication is the main and essential element of the ideal treatment.
Methods: In the present study, we evaluated, through a qualitative analysis, the acceptability of sending short message system (SMS) in the adherence to the treatment of Malaria vivax in the Amazon region. Patient aged less then 16 years old starting treatment for uncomplicated vivax malaria; with a mobile phone for personal use and consenting to receive free SMS and follow-up calls were recruited. SMS text messages was developed according to treatment regimens. Telephone depth interviews was reached with proposal sample of 14 participants. A semi-structured interview guide was used with 17 open questions.
Results: During the analysis of the interviews, five thematic categories emerged, they were: decreased forgetfulness; new in the tool; easy-to-understand language; impact of SMS during treatment; improvement suggestions and complaints.
Conclusions: The present study explores the experience of receiving SMS medication reminders in people diagnosed with malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. The study results illustrate that the experience with the SMS adherence intervention is characterized by reminders that assist in adherence helping participants to reduce forgetfulness, the novelty of the tool, the positive impact of SMS during treatment, the use of easy language and appropriate and potential suggestions for improvement and complaints.