Development of a Mobile Health Application for HIV Prevention Among At-Risk Populations in Urban Settings in East Africa: A Participatory Design Approach

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dc.contributor.authorMauka, Wilhellmuss
dc.contributor.authorMbotwa, Christopher
dc.contributor.authorMoen, Kåre
dc.contributor.authorLichtwarck, Hanne Ochieng
dc.contributor.authorHaaland, Inga
dc.contributor.authorKazaura, Method
dc.contributor.authorLeyna, Germana H
dc.contributor.authorLeshabari, Melkizedeck T
dc.contributor.authorMmbaga, Elia J
dc.date.accessioned2022-11-30T08:12:27Z
dc.date.available2022-11-30T08:12:27Z
dc.date.issued2021-10-07
dc.description.abstractBackground: There is limited evidence in Africa on the design and development of mobile health (mHealth) applications to guide best practices and ensure effectiveness. A pragmatic trial for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis roll-out among key populations in Tanzania is needed. Objective: We present the results of the development of a mobile app (Jichunge) intended to promote adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW) in Tanzania. Methods: A participatory design approach was employed and guided by the information system research framework. MSM and FSW were the target populations. A total of 15 MSM and 15 FSW were engaged in the relevance and design cycles, while the piloting phase included 10 MSM and 20 FSW. Results: The relevance cycle enabled the description of the existing problem, provided the compatible app features for the target population, and identified the need to develop an mHealth app that provides health services in a stigmatizing and discriminating environment. User involvement in the app’s design and evaluation provided an opportunity to incorporate social, cultural, and community-specific features that ensured usability. In addition, the participants suggested valuable information to inform the app, text message services, medication registration, and chat platform designs. Conclusions: The participatory design approach in the development of mHealth apps is useful in identifying and validating population-specific functional features, improve usability, and ensuring future health impacts. Through this participatory process, the Jichunge app took end-user needs, perspectives, and experiences into account, eliciting enthusiasm regarding its potential role in supporting pre-exposure prophylaxis adherence for HIV and related behavioral change promotion.en_US
dc.description.sponsorshipThis research was funded by the Research Council of Norway through the Global Health and Vaccination Programme (GLOBVAC) [project number 285361]. The project is also part of the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP2) programme supported by the European Union.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMauka W, Mbotwa C, Moen K, Lichtwarck HO, Haaland I, Kazaura M, Leyna GH, Leshabari MT, Mmbaga EJ Development of a Mobile Health Application for HIV Prevention Among At-Risk Populations in Urban Settings in East Africa: A Participatory Design Approachen_US
dc.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.2196/23204
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11810/5913
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherJMIR Publicationsen_US
dc.relation.ispartofseries5;10
dc.subjectmHealth application; participatory design; HIV; pre-exposure prophylaxis; Africa; female sex workers; sex and gender minoritiesen_US
dc.titleDevelopment of a Mobile Health Application for HIV Prevention Among At-Risk Populations in Urban Settings in East Africa: A Participatory Design Approachen_US
dc.typeJournal Article, Peer Revieweden_US
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