Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Review
BackgroundMobile phone applications (apps) provide a new platform for delivering tailored human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and care. ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate currently available mobile phone apps related to the prevention and c...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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JMIR Publications
2013-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| Online Access: | http://www.jmir.org/2013/1/e1/ |
| _version_ | 1831599260928311296 |
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| author | Muessig, Kathryn E Pike, Emily C LeGrand, Sara Hightow-Weidman, Lisa B |
| author_facet | Muessig, Kathryn E Pike, Emily C LeGrand, Sara Hightow-Weidman, Lisa B |
| author_sort | Muessig, Kathryn E |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundMobile phone applications (apps) provide a new platform for delivering tailored human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and care.
ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate currently available mobile phone apps related to the prevention and care of HIV and other STDs.
MethodsWe searched the Apple iTunes and Android Google Play stores for HIV/STD-related apps, excluding apps that exclusively targeted industry, providers, and researchers. Each eligible app was downloaded, tested, and assessed for user ratings and functionality as well as 6 broad content areas of HIV prevention and care: HIV/STD disease knowledge, risk reduction/safer sex, condom promotion, HIV/STD testing information, resources for HIV-positive persons, and focus on key populations.
ResultsSearch queries up to May 2012 identified 1937 apps. Of these, 55 unique apps met the inclusion criteria (12 for Android, 29 for iPhone, and 14 for both platforms). Among these apps, 71% provided disease information about HIV/STDs, 36% provided HIV/STD testing information or resources, 29% included information about condom use or assistance locating condoms, and 24% promoted safer sex. Only 6 apps (11%) covered all 4 of these prevention areas. Eight apps (15%) provided tools or resources specifically for HIV/STD positive persons. Ten apps included information for a range of sexual orientations, 9 apps appeared to be designed for racially/ethnically diverse audiences, and 15 apps featured interactive components. Apps were infrequently downloaded (median 100-500 downloads) and not highly rated (average customer rating 3.7 out of 5 stars).
ConclusionsMost available HIV/STD apps have failed to attract user attention and positive reviews. Public health practitioners should work with app developers to incorporate elements of evidence-based interventions for risk reduction and improve app inclusiveness and interactivity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:21:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b96e68f331b43ae842eefa613dd0b63 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1438-8871 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T14:21:52Z |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b96e68f331b43ae842eefa613dd0b632022-12-21T21:04:51ZengJMIR PublicationsJournal of Medical Internet Research1438-88712013-01-01151e110.2196/jmir.2301Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A ReviewMuessig, Kathryn EPike, Emily CLeGrand, SaraHightow-Weidman, Lisa BBackgroundMobile phone applications (apps) provide a new platform for delivering tailored human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and care. ObjectiveTo identify and evaluate currently available mobile phone apps related to the prevention and care of HIV and other STDs. MethodsWe searched the Apple iTunes and Android Google Play stores for HIV/STD-related apps, excluding apps that exclusively targeted industry, providers, and researchers. Each eligible app was downloaded, tested, and assessed for user ratings and functionality as well as 6 broad content areas of HIV prevention and care: HIV/STD disease knowledge, risk reduction/safer sex, condom promotion, HIV/STD testing information, resources for HIV-positive persons, and focus on key populations. ResultsSearch queries up to May 2012 identified 1937 apps. Of these, 55 unique apps met the inclusion criteria (12 for Android, 29 for iPhone, and 14 for both platforms). Among these apps, 71% provided disease information about HIV/STDs, 36% provided HIV/STD testing information or resources, 29% included information about condom use or assistance locating condoms, and 24% promoted safer sex. Only 6 apps (11%) covered all 4 of these prevention areas. Eight apps (15%) provided tools or resources specifically for HIV/STD positive persons. Ten apps included information for a range of sexual orientations, 9 apps appeared to be designed for racially/ethnically diverse audiences, and 15 apps featured interactive components. Apps were infrequently downloaded (median 100-500 downloads) and not highly rated (average customer rating 3.7 out of 5 stars). ConclusionsMost available HIV/STD apps have failed to attract user attention and positive reviews. Public health practitioners should work with app developers to incorporate elements of evidence-based interventions for risk reduction and improve app inclusiveness and interactivity.http://www.jmir.org/2013/1/e1/ |
| spellingShingle | Muessig, Kathryn E Pike, Emily C LeGrand, Sara Hightow-Weidman, Lisa B Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Review Journal of Medical Internet Research |
| title | Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Review |
| title_full | Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Review |
| title_fullStr | Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Review |
| title_short | Mobile Phone Applications for the Care and Prevention of HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Review |
| title_sort | mobile phone applications for the care and prevention of hiv and other sexually transmitted diseases a review |
| url | http://www.jmir.org/2013/1/e1/ |
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