Acceptability of a tablet-based application to support early HIV testing among men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a mixed method study

Oluwafemi Adeagbo; Hae-Young Kim; Frank Tanser; Sibongiseni Xulu; Nondumiso Dlamini; Velaphi Gumede; Thulile Mathenjwa; Till Bärnighausen; Nuala McGrath; Ann Blandford; Janet Seeley; Maryam Shahmanesh

doi:10.1080/09540121.2020.1742867

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Acceptability of a tablet-based application to support early HIV testing among men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a mixed method study

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Acceptability of a tablet-based application to support early HIV testing among men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a mixed method study

Oluwafemi Adeagbo, Hae-Young Kim, Frank Tanser, Sibongiseni Xulu, Nondumiso Dlamini, Velaphi Gumede, Thulile Mathenjwa, Till Bärnighausen, Nuala McGrath, Ann Blandford, …

AIDS care, Vol.33(4), pp.494-501

04/03/2021

DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1742867

PMCID: PMC7492477

PMID: 32172596

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Abstract

Uptake of HIV testing remains low among men in South Africa. As part of a trial, we assessed the acceptability of a theoretically derived and adapted tablet-based-application (EPIC-HIV1) in rural South Africa. We conducted 20 in-depth interviews with men aged ≥18 years and offered a tablet-based survey to all men aged ≥15 years who received EPIC-HIV1 (Sep-Dec 2018). We conducted a descriptive analysis of the survey and used Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to guide our thematic analysis. A total of 232/307 (75%) completed the survey, 55% of whom were aged 15-24 years. 96%[ CI: 92.8-98.2%; n = 223] found EPIC-HIV1 acceptable and 77% [95% CI: 71.8-82.6%; n = 179] found it user-friendly. 222 [96%] reported that EPIC-HIV1 motivated them to test; 83% (192/232) tested for HIV, of which 33% (64/192) were first time testers. Those who did not consent (n = 40) were more likely to have had an HIV-positive test result. Participants reported that the app boosted their confidence to test. However, they were unsure that the app would help them overcome barriers to test in local clinics. Given reach and usability, an adapted SDT male-tailored app was found to be acceptable and could encourage positive health-seeking behavioural change among men.

home-based testing

men and HIV

Mhealth

process evaluation

South Africa

Details

Title: Subtitle: Acceptability of a tablet-based application to support early HIV testing among men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: a mixed method study
Creators: Oluwafemi Adeagbo - University College London
Hae-Young Kim - Africa Health Research Institute
Frank Tanser - Africa Health Research Institute
Sibongiseni Xulu - Africa Health Research Institute
Nondumiso Dlamini - Africa Health Research Institute
Velaphi Gumede - Africa Health Research Institute
Thulile Mathenjwa - Africa Health Research Institute
Till Bärnighausen - Heidelberg University
Nuala McGrath - University of Southampton
Ann Blandford - University College London
Janet Seeley - London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Maryam Shahmanesh - University College London
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: AIDS care, Vol.33(4), pp.494-501
DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1742867
PMID: 32172596
PMCID: PMC7492477
NLM abbreviation: AIDS Care
ISSN: 0954-0121
eISSN: 1360-0451
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes for Health; DOI: 10.13039/100000060, name: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; DOI: 10.13039/100005622, name: Health Research; DOI: 10.13039/100004440, name: Wellcome Trust; DOI: 10.13039/501100001322, name: South African Medical Research Council; DOI: 10.13039/100002829, name: EPIC; DOI: 10.13039/501100000272, name: NIHR
Language: English
Date published: 04/03/2021
Academic Unit: Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9984274821302771

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