Innovation in sexually transmitted disease and HIV prevention: Internet and mobile phone delivery vehicles for global diffusion

Abstract

Purpose of review Efficacious behavioral interventions and practices have not been universally accepted, adopted, or diffused by policy makers, administrators, providers, advocates, or consumers. Biomedical innovations for sexually transmitted disease (STD) and HIV prevention have been embraced but their effectiveness is hindered by behavioral factors. Behavioral interventions are required to support providers and consumers for adoption and diffusion of biomedical innovations, protocol adherence, and sustained prevention for other STDs. Information and communication technology such as the Internet and mobile phones can deliver behavioral components for STD/HIV prevention and care to more people at less cost. Recent findings Recent innovations in STD/HIV prevention with information and communication technology-mediated behavioral supports include STD/HIV testing and partner interventions, behavioral interventions, self-management, and provider care. Computer-based and Internet-based behavioral STD/HIV interventions have demonstrated efficacy comparable to face-to-face interventions. Mobile phone STD/HIV interventions using text-messaging are being broadly utilized but more work is needed to demonstrate efficacy. Electronic health records and care management systems can improve care, but interventions are needed to support adoption. Summary Information and communication technology is rapidly diffusing globally. Over the next 5–10 years smart-phones will be broadly disseminated, connecting billions of people to the Internet and enabling lower cost, highly engaging, and ubiquitous STD/HIV prevention and treatment support interventions.

The Effect of a Structural Intervention for Syphilis Control Among 3597 Female Sex Workers: A Demonstration Study in South China

“…Higher FSW retention rates in our study may be partly attributed to the gains from mobile phone use, such as text message appointment reminders and health behavior promotion. Mobile phones have been used among STI and HIV risk groups in other contexts to promote retention and behavior change [23]. Although other research has suggested that online methods could be used for STI and HIV prevention in China, [24] our experience found higher levels of mobile phone use among FSWs, especially FSWs at low-tier venues.…”

Utilization of an Animated Electronic Health Video to Increase Knowledge of Post- and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Among African American Women: Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey (Preprint)

“…This enables access at the most convenient times and locations. [5] EHealth has strengthened in the field of HIV research as more interventions are adopting these techniques due to eHealth's many benefits. [6][7][8] Published reports suggested that individuals are more comfortable using computers while addressing sensitive topics, such as HIV.…”

“…[1] The World Health Organization (WHO) defined eHealth as, "the cost-effective and secure use of information communication technologies in support of health and health related fields, including health-care services, health surveillance, health literature, health education, knowledge and research". [2] Recent advances in eHealth have enabled the development of innovative Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) prevention strategies that combine multiple interactive media elements using animations, audio and video clips, gaming and social networking applications [3][4][5] using a variety of devices, such as cell phones, smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This enables access at the most convenient times and locations.…”

HIV-Prevention Opportunities With GPS-Based Social and Sexual Networking Applications for Men Who Have Sex With Men

“…Academic researchers, health departments, community-based organizations (CBOs), and AIDS service organizations (ASOs) have begun to experiment with in-novative mobile phone technologies to deliver HIV education and prevention programming to MSM (Bourne et al, 2011;Free et al, 2013;Lim et al, 2012;Noar & Willoughby, 2012;Reback et al, 2012;Rhodes et al, 2011;Sun, Stowers, Miller, Bachmann, & Rhodes, 2015;Swendeman & Rotheram-Borus, 2010). One of these technologies has been the use of mobile applications (apps).…”