Usability and Acceptability of a Comprehensive HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections Prevention App (original) (raw)
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BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate HIV/AIDS mobile applications using the Mobile App Rating Scale (MARS) and rate the features of these applications using the new tool called the Feature-based Application Rating Method (FARM). Methods In this study, all available HIV/AIDS apps in Iran from Cafe Bazaar and Google Play Store due to inclusion criteria were studied. The evaluation of the quality of applications was done using the MARS tool and the FARM tool. The FARM, which was developed in this study, was applied to rank the features of the applications. Results In this study, 79 applications were included. The mean score of all apps using both tools was 3.58 (SD = 0.95) out of 5. The overall mean quality score based on the MARS was 3.14 (SD = 0.84), and the mean score of features based on FARM was 3.81 (SD = 1.23). This study showed a higher than moderate correlation between the scores assigned to apps based on the MARS and FARM tools (r > 0.4). Conclusions The HI...
Journal of International Translational Medicine, 2019
Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) are faced with a chronic condition that requires management and awareness of their situation. Mobile-based applications (apps) have the potential to support self-management and provide educational information for PLWH. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the usability of a mobile-based self-management app from the perspective of PLWH. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional one that conducted to determine the usability of a mobile-based self-management app for PLWH. The statistical population was all PLWH in the Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) center of Imam Khomeini Hospital in 2018 (N = 65). We asked the end-users to use the mobile-based self-management app for 30 days. User feedback was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The collected data from the statistical population were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results: According to the findings, most features of the mobile-based self-management app from the perspective...
Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2021
Background Young transgender women (YTW) are a key population for HIV-related risk reduction, yet very few interventions have been developed to meet their needs. Mobile health interventions with the potential for both efficacy and wide reach are a promising strategy to reduce HIV risk among YTW. Objective This study aims to adapt an efficacious group-based intervention to a mobile app, Project LifeSkills, to reduce HIV risk among YTW, and to test its acceptability and usability. Methods The group-based intervention was adapted to a mobile app, LifeSkills Mobile, with input from an expert advisory group and feedback from YTW collected during user-centered design sessions. A beta version of the app was then tested in a usability evaluation using a think-aloud protocol with debriefing interviews, recordings of screen activity, and assessments of usability via the Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) and the Health Information Technology Usability Evaluation Scale (Health-I...
Are HIV Smartphone Apps and Online Interventions Fit for Purpose?
Proceedings of the 2017 International Conference on Digital Health
Sexual health is an under-explored area of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), particularly sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Due to the stigma associated with these infections, people are often motivated to seek information online. With the rise of smartphone and web apps, there is enormous potential for technology to provide easily accessible information and resources. However, using online information raises important concerns about the trustworthiness of these resources and whether they are fit for purpose. We conducted a review of smartphone and web apps to investigate the landscape of currently available online apps and whether they meet the diverse needs of people seeking information on HIV online. Our functionality review revealed that existing technology interventions have a one-size-fits-all approach and do not support the breadth and complexity of HIV-related support needs. We argue that technology-based interventions need to signpost their offering and provide tailored support for different stages of HIV, including prevention, testing, diagnosis and management.
2022
Background: Sexual health disparities exist for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are high for both BMSM and those taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Objective: In this study, we introduced an existing PrEP adherence app to new potential users-BMSM engaged in PrEP care in New Orleans-to guide app adaptation with STI prevention features and tailoring for the local context. Methods: Using a user-centered design, we conducted 4 focus group discussions (FGDs), with interim app adaptations from December 2020 to March 2021. During the FGDs, a video of the app, app website, and mock-ups were shown to participants. We asked about facilitators of and barriers to STI prevention in general, current app use, impressions of the existing app, new app features to potentially facilitate STI prevention, and how the app should be tailored for BMSM. We used applied qualitative thematic analysis to identify themes and needs of the population. Results: Overall, 4 FGDs were conducted with 24 BMSM taking PrEP. We grouped themes into 4 categories: STI prevention, current app use and preferences, preexisting features and impressions of the prep'd app, and new features and modifications for BMSM. Participants noted concern about STIs and shared that anxiety about some STIs was higher than that for others; some participants shared that since the emergence of PrEP, little thought is given to STIs. However, participants desired STI prevention strategies and suggested prevention methods to implement through the app, including access to resources, educational content, and sex diaries to follow their sexual activity. When discussing app preferences, they emphasized the need for an app to offer relevant features and be easy to use and expressed that some notifications were important to keep users engaged but that they should be limited to avoid notification fatigue. Participants thought that the current app was useful and generally liked the existing features, including the ability to communicate with providers, staff, and each other through the community forum. They had suggestions for modifications for STI prevention, such as the ability to comment on sexual encounters, and for tailoring to the
JMIR formative research, 2023
Background: Sexual health disparities exist for Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are high for both BMSM and those taking HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Objective: In this study, we introduced an existing PrEP adherence app to new potential users-BMSM engaged in PrEP care in New Orleans-to guide app adaptation with STI prevention features and tailoring for the local context. Methods: Using a user-centered design, we conducted 4 focus group discussions (FGDs), with interim app adaptations from December 2020 to March 2021. During the FGDs, a video of the app, app website, and mock-ups were shown to participants. We asked about facilitators of and barriers to STI prevention in general, current app use, impressions of the existing app, new app features to potentially facilitate STI prevention, and how the app should be tailored for BMSM. We used applied qualitative thematic analysis to identify themes and needs of the population. Results: Overall, 4 FGDs were conducted with 24 BMSM taking PrEP. We grouped themes into 4 categories: STI prevention, current app use and preferences, preexisting features and impressions of the prep'd app, and new features and modifications for BMSM. Participants noted concern about STIs and shared that anxiety about some STIs was higher than that for others; some participants shared that since the emergence of PrEP, little thought is given to STIs. However, participants desired STI prevention strategies and suggested prevention methods to implement through the app, including access to resources, educational content, and sex diaries to follow their sexual activity. When discussing app preferences, they emphasized the need for an app to offer relevant features and be easy to use and expressed that some notifications were important to keep users engaged but that they should be limited to avoid notification fatigue. Participants thought that the current app was useful and generally liked the existing features, including the ability to communicate with providers, staff, and each other through the community forum. They had suggestions for modifications for STI prevention, such as the ability to comment on sexual encounters, and for tailoring to the
Frontiers in Digital Health, 2021
Background: Accurate self-report of sexual behavior assists in identifying potential HIV exposure in HIV prevention trials. Brief mobile phone assessments, completed daily or after sexual activity, can improve the validity and reliability of self-reported sexual behavior and allow for remote survey completion outside of the clinic setting. We conducted a qualitative study to better understand participants mobile phone use and to explore their perspectives on how to improve an existing mobile application-based sexual risk assessment.Methods: Sexually active, HIV seronegative men (n = 14) and women (n = 15) aged 18–39 years were recruited through an HIV counseling and testing clinic and community outreach in Soweto, South Africa. We conducted qualitative research through four age-stratified focus group discussions (FGDs) and analyzed a brief socio-demographics and mobile phone access questionnaire. All participants completed a sexual risk assessment before the FGD. Using a framework a...
JCO global oncology, 2022
PURPOSE This study describes the 10 steps followed to produce the information architecture of a user-centered design (UCD) counseling mobile application, the first phase to develop an app. The app aims to reduce the psychosocial impact of the human papillomavirus test result and improve women's knowledge of human papilloma virus and cervical cancer. METHODS We used a UCD approach to produce the information architecture of the app (ie, how to organize contents into features). We analyzed field notes, meeting agendas, and documentation produced during each stage of the design process. We described the goals, methods, and outcomes of each step. We also discussed the critical challenges and the strategies to address them. RESULTS The steps are (1) knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs mapping: reanalysis of team's research findings from prior studies; (2) environmental scanning of apps available on the market; (3) stakeholders' point of view: The International Advisory Committee; (4) potential user's profile: building archetypes through the Persona method; (5) women's interviews: user's preferences and experiences; (6) effective features: scoping review to select app's features that address psychosocial impact; (7) the user journey: ideal interaction with the gynecological service and the counseling app; (8) women's focus groups: using Personas and Scenarios to discuss app's mock-up; (9) women's design sessions: prototype test and card-sorting techniques; and (10) team's design session: translating results into visual objects and features. CONCLUSION We provide here detailed descriptions of the UCD process of an app for human papillomavirus-tested women for those venturing into the area of mHealth strategies work. Our experience can be used as a guide for future mHealth app development for a low-and middle-income setting.
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 2015
Background: The increasing pervasiveness of mobile technologies has given potential to transform healthcare by facilitating clinical management using software applications. These technologies may provide valuable tools in sexual health care and potentially overcome existing practical and cultural barriers to routine testing for sexually transmitted infections. In order to inform the design of a mobile health application for STIs that supports self-testing and self-management by linking diagnosis with online care pathways, we aimed to identify the dimensions and range of preferences for user interface design features among young people. Methods: Nine focus group discussions were conducted (n = 49) with two age-stratified samples (16 to 18 and 19 to 24 year olds) of young people from Further Education colleges and Higher Education establishments. Discussions explored young people's views with regard to: the software interface; the presentation of information; and the ordering of interaction steps. Discussions were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.
Acceptability of Smartphone Application-Based HIV Prevention Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men
AIDS and Behavior, 2014
Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) are increasingly using mobile smartphone applications (''apps''), such as Grindr, to meet sex partners. A probability sample of 195 Grindr-using YMSM in Southern California were administered an anonymous online survey to assess patterns of and motivations for Grindr use in order to inform development and tailoring of smartphone-based HIV prevention for YMSM. The number one reason for using Grindr (29 %) was to meet ''hook ups.'' Among those participants who used both Grindr and online dating sites, a statistically significantly greater percentage used online dating sites for ''hook ups'' (42 %) compared to Grindr (30 %). Seventy percent of YMSM expressed a willingness to participate in a smartphone app-based HIV prevention program. Development and testing of smartphone apps for HIV prevention delivery has the potential to engage YMSM in HIV prevention programming, which can be tailored based on use patterns and motivations for use. Resumen Los hombres que mantienen relaciones sexuales con hombres (YMSM por las siglas en inglés de Young Men Who Have Sex with Men) están utilizando más y más aplicaciones para teléfonos inteligentes (smartphones), como Grindr, para encontrar parejas sexuales. En el Sur de California, se administró de forma anónima un sondeo en internet a una muestra de probabilidad de 195 YMSM usuarios de Grindr, para evaluar los patrones y motivaciones del uso de Grindr, con el fin de utilizar esta información para el desarrollo y personalización de prevención del VIH entre YMSM con base en teléfonos inteligentes. La principal razón para utilizar Grindr (29 %) es para buscar encuentros sexuales casuales (hook-ups). Entre los participantes que utilizan tanto Grindr como otro sitios de citas online, un mayor porcentaje estadísticamente significativo utilizó los sitios de citas online para encuentros casuales sexuales (42 %) comparado con Grindr (30 %). Un setenta porciento de los YMSM expresó su disposición para participar en programas de prevención del VIH con base en teléfonos inteligentes. El desarrollo y evaluación de aplicaciones para teléfonos inteligentes para el suministro de prevención del VIH tiene el potencial de involucrar a los YMSM en la programación de la prevención del VIH, que puede ser adaptada según los patrones y motivaciones de uso.