Mobile health applications for HIV prevention and care in Africa. Issue 6 (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Forrest, Jamie I.; Wiens, Matthew; Kanters, Steve; Nsanzimana, Sabin; Lester, Richard T.; Mills, Edward J.
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in HIV & AIDS. Volume 10:Issue 6(2015:Nov.)
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Africa -- HIV -- m-health -- mobile health -- SMS; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; HIV Infections -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome -- Periodicals; Infections à VIH -- Périodiques; Sida -- Périodiques; AIDS (Disease); HIV infections; Periodicals; 616.9792005
• DOI: 10.1097/COH.0000000000000198
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1746-630X

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose of review: More people have mobile phones in Africa than at any point in history. Mobile health (m-health), the use of mobile phones to support the delivery of health services, has expanded in recent years. Several models have been proposed for conceptualizing m-health in the fields of maternal–child health and chronic diseases. We conducted a literature review of m-health interventions for HIV prevention and care in African countries and present the findings in the context of a simplified framework. Recent findings: Our review identified applications of m-health for HIV prevention and care categorized by the following three themes: patient-care focused applications, such as health behavior change, health system-focused applications, such as reporting and data collection, and population health-focused applications, including HIV awareness and testing campaigns. Summary: The potential for m-health in Africa is numerous and should not be limited only to direct patient-care focused applications. Although the use of smart phone technology is on the rise in Africa, text messaging remains the primary mode of delivering m-health interventions. The rate at which mobile phone technologies are being adopted may outpace the rate of evaluation. Other methods of evaluation should be considered beyond only randomized-controlled trials.