JMIR Formative Research (Feb 2022)

Implementation of an mHealth App to Promote Engagement During HIV Care and Viral Load Suppression in Johannesburg, South Africa (iThemba Life): Pilot Technical Feasibility and Acceptability Study

  • Samanta Tresha Lalla-Edward,
  • Nonkululeko Mashabane,
  • Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood,
  • Lesley Scott,
  • Kyle Fyvie,
  • Dana Duncan,
  • Betiel Haile,
  • Kamal Chugh,
  • Yiyong Zhou,
  • Jacob Reimers,
  • Matteus Pan,
  • Maya Venkatraman,
  • Wendy Stevens

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2196/26033
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 2
p. e26033

Abstract

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BackgroundSouth Africa has the largest HIV treatment program worldwide. Retention in care and medication adherence remain problematic necessitating innovative solutions for improving HIV care. The increasing availability and use of mobile technology can support positive clinical outcomes for persons living with HIV. iThemba Life is a mobile health app designed with input from South African health professionals and patients, promoting engagement with HIV care through access to medical results. ObjectiveThis study aimed to test the feasibility and acceptability of receiving HIV viral load (VL) results through the app and compare the time to HIV VL result return for study participants before and after app use. MethodsUsing convenience sampling, adults having routine VL phlebotomy were recruited from 2 Johannesburg health facilities. After signed consent, the app was downloaded on their Android smartphones, phlebotomy was performed, and the sample barcode was scanned through their phone to link the sample and app. Participants received a notification of the result availability and logged into the app to view results, their explanation and recommended action. ResultsOverall, 750 people were screened to enroll 500 participants. Of 750, 113 (15.1%) failed eligibility screening. 21.5% (137/637) had smartphone technical limitations preventing enrollment. Results were released to 92.2% (461/500) of participants’ phones. App technical issues and laboratory operational issues limited the number of released results. Approximately 78.1% (360/461) results were viewed in the app. Median time from notification of availability to result viewed being 15.5 hours (0.6; range 0-150 days). Turnaround time from phlebotomy to the result being received was 6 (range 1-167) days for users versus 56 days (range 10-430 days; P1000 copies/mL). Turnaround time for unsuppressed results was 7 days for participants versus 37.5 days before app use (P1000 copies/mL. This increased notification speed led to participants wanting to continue using iThemba Life.