Technology preferences to enhance HIV and HCV care among patients with substance use disorders

Mobile phone ownership, digital technology use and acceptability of digital interventions among individuals on opioid use disorder treatment in Kenya

“…We observed that a third of participants (32.8%) had seen drug cues on social media which shows a potential harm of digital technology. This has been reported in previous studies whereby in one study 67.5% reported to have seen drug cues on social media ( 32 ) while in another study 38% reported to use online platforms to locate drug dealers and get information on how to use substances ( 30 ). This implies that increased use of social media could be a potential harm among individuals with SUD hence a need to include this as part of psychoeducation during the implementation of an intervention and teach participants skills to deal with drug cues if they appear.…”

“…Factors associated with acceptability and willingness to use digital interventions for SUD treatment were education level with people with tertiary level of education being more likely to use social media or join an online support group and smartphone phone ownership increased odds for reporting acceptability of treatment through computer, social media or online support group as seen in previous studies ( 30 – 32 ). Being single was associated with low acceptability for using computer, social media and online support group.…”

“…Patients with SUDs search information on general health and addiction-related information ( 18 , 32 , 34 ). Although some studies have found that participants reported difficulty in navigating through social media to search for information, majority of participants report that they understand the content provided online pertaining SUD recovery or general health information ( 30 ). This finding shows that social media may be a viable option to provide information on SUD treatment.…”

“…For example, a study in United Kingdom among patients in four community treatment facilities reported prevalence of 83% ( 28 ); four studies in the United States of America—one among individuals with injection drug use, another among patients at a detoxification Centre, one at an intensive outpatient treatment facility and another at eight SUD treatment centres report prevalence of 66.2%, 86%, 93.8% and 91% respectively ( 18 , 29 – 31 ). Individuals with SUD also report access to other digital technology such as computers, internet and social media and willingness to receive SUD treatment using these platforms ( 30 , 32 – 34 ). Majority of the participants in these studies accessing digital interventions report that the interventions are helpful and easy to use ( 14 , 35 ).…”

Hepatitis C Virus Prevalence, Screening, and Treatment Among People Who Are Incarcerated in Canada: Leaving No One Behind in the Direct‐Acting Antiviral Era

“…These include telemedicine, 10,36 team-based care, 36 and peer support and education programs. 37 Finally, mobile phone-based applications and text messaging, also known as mHealth, 38 have been shown to increase HIV treatment adherence among PWAI released to the community and could improve linkage to HCV care after release. 34 "Prison health is public health" 3,22,39 and efforts to reduce the burden of HCV among PWAI will undoubtedly also reduce its prevalence in the community.…”