Mogoba Phepo, Phillips Tamsin K, Myer Landon, Ndlovu Linda, Were Martin C, Clouse Kate
a Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research , School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
b Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Family Medicine , University of Cape Town Cape Town , South Africa.
AIDS Care. 2019 Jun;31(6):723-729. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1563283. Epub 2018 Dec 31.
In South Africa, HIV-positive women receiving antiretroviral therapy often are lost to care postpartum; strategies to support long-term engagement are needed. Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are emerging as a possible solution for supporting long-term engagement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV care continuum. In order to explore acceptability and feasibility of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in this context, we conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) to assess trends in smartphone usage in postpartum women. In six FGDs, we interviewed 27 HIV-positive, postpartum women who attended regular care at the Gugulethu Community Health Centre in Cape Town, South Africa, and who use a smartphone. Questions assessed the respondent's general trends in smartphone use, as well as their exposure to and perceptions of mHealth interventions. We found little turnover in phones and phone numbers, and about half the participants shared their devices with family and friends. Respondents reported high familiarity with smartphone applications, including WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, with WhatsApp as their preferred method of smartphone communication. Data bundles were most often used to connect to the internet, motivated by the perception that data bundles last longer and are cheaper than airtime, but respondents were adept at locating Wi-Fi sources at work or other public spaces. Nearly all participants were familiar with MomConnect, a national mHealth text support service in South Africa, and most described it positively. Respondents expressed interest in future HIV mHealth applications including complementary health information on physical activity, nutrition, mental health and basic social services. Participants were active and engaged smartphone users with reliable internet connections and a positive attitude towards mHealth platforms. Future mHealth interventions show promise in this population.
在南非，接受抗逆转录病毒治疗的艾滋病毒呈阳性的女性在产后往往会失去后续护理；因此需要制定策略来支持她们长期参与护理。移动健康（mHealth）干预措施正在成为一种可能的解决方案，以支持长期参与预防艾滋病毒母婴传播（PMTCT）护理连续体。为了探讨在这种情况下移动健康（mHealth）干预措施的可接受性和可行性，我们进行了焦点小组讨论（FGD），以评估产后女性智能手机使用的趋势。在六次焦点小组讨论中，我们采访了27名艾滋病毒呈阳性的产后女性，她们在南非开普敦古古勒图社区卫生中心接受定期护理，并且使用智能手机。问题评估了受访者智能手机使用的总体趋势，以及她们对移动健康干预措施的接触情况和看法。我们发现手机和电话号码的更换率很低，约一半的参与者会与家人和朋友共享设备。受访者表示对智能手机应用程序非常熟悉，包括WhatsApp、Facebook、YouTube和Twitter，其中WhatsApp是他们首选的智能手机通信方式。数据套餐最常用于连接互联网，原因是人们认为数据套餐比通话时长持续时间更长且更便宜，但受访者也擅长在工作场所或其他公共场所找到Wi-Fi源。几乎所有参与者都熟悉MomConnect，这是南非一项全国性的移动健康短信支持服务，大多数人对它评价积极。受访者对未来的艾滋病毒移动健康应用程序表示感兴趣，包括有关体育活动、营养、心理健康和基本社会服务的补充健康信息。参与者是活跃且积极参与的智能手机用户，拥有可靠的互联网连接，并且对移动健康平台持积极态度。未来的移动健康干预措施在这一人群中显示出前景。
