"You Are on the Right Track With the App:" Qualitative Analysis of Mobile Phone Use and User Feedback Regarding Mobile Phone Sexual Risk Assessments for HIV Prevention Research | JoVE Visualize

"You Are on the Right Track With the App:" Qualitative Analysis of Mobile Phone Use and User Feedback Regarding Mobile Phone Sexual Risk Assessments for HIV Prevention Research

Janan J Dietrich^1,2, Gabriella L Benadé¹, Mamakiri Mulaudzi¹

¹Perinatal HIV Research Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Frontiers in Digital Health|October 29, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Mobile phone surveys improve HIV risk reporting. Key improvements include simple, brief questionnaires in local languages, weekly completion, and privacy features, with small incentives enhancing participation.

Area of Science:

Public Health
Digital Health
Qualitative Research

Background:

Accurate self-reporting of sexual behavior is crucial for HIV prevention trials.
Mobile phone assessments offer a valid, reliable, and remote method for collecting sexual behavior data.
Qualitative research is needed to optimize mobile application-based sexual risk assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

To understand participants' mobile phone usage patterns.
To explore participant perspectives on improving a mobile application for sexual risk assessment.
To identify factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of mobile health tools in HIV prevention.

Main Methods:

Qualitative study involving focus group discussions (FGDs) with sexually active, HIV-seronegative men and women (n=29) aged 18-39 in Soweto, South Africa.
Participants completed socio-demographic and mobile phone access questionnaires, and a pre-FGD sexual risk assessment.
Data analysis employed a framework analytic approach using Nvivo software.

Main Results:

All participants owned mobile phones with internet access, and most could download apps.
Preferred assessment features included South African language options, formal wording, brevity (5-10 questions), and weekly completion.
Privacy concerns were raised regarding SMS/social media, favoring password-protected apps; airtime incentives (ZAR 5-10) were acceptable.

Conclusions:

Mobile phone sexual risk assessments can be optimized for completion through simple, brief, and infrequent questionnaires.
Trusted privacy measures and minimal incentives are key to maximizing participation in digital health interventions.
Participant feedback, including language preference and incentive structure, is vital for designing effective mobile health tools.