Challenges and opportunities for HIV screening with the support of health digital technology: A scoping review
-
Suarnianti Suarnianti
,
Nyoman Anita Damayanti
,
Indah Restika
,
Erna Kadrianti
,
Kartika Sari Wijayaningsih
,
Suhartatik Suhartatik
Abstract
Background & Aim: HIV screening is a crucial step in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, but challenges related to accessibility, efficiency, and service quality in many regions. With the rise of digital technologies, digital health applications hold significant potential to address these challenges. This review evaluates the opportunities and challenges of applying digital technologies in HIV screening, focusing on accessibility, privacy, and healthcare quality.
Materials & Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the framework of Arksey & O'Malley (2005), as modified by Levac et al. (2010). Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, DOAJ, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane Library, and EBSCOhost for studies published between 2015 and 2024. Relevant studies were selected based on criteria focused on technology accessibility, privacy, and infrastructure reliability. Data were extracted, mapped, and findings categorized by geographical context and key challenges.
Results: Ten studies involving over 3,500 participants were analysed, including randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and program evaluations. Major challenges identified included limited access to technology, particularly in low-resource areas, as well as privacy concerns and technology reliability. Despite these challenges, significant opportunities to improve healthcare services through digital technologies were noted, especially when adapted to local contexts and supported by user training.
Conclusion: Despite challenges in accessibility and privacy, digital technologies provide opportunities to enhance HIV screening, especially with contextual adaptations and user training. These findings suggest a path forward for integrating digital solutions in HIV care.
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https://doi.org/10.2196/14743
15. Siddiquee NK, Poudyal A, Pandey A, Shrestha N, Karki S, Subedi R, Sah AK, KC D. Telemedicine in resource-limited setting: Narrative synthesis of evidence in Nepalese context. Smart Homecare Technology and Telehealth. 2020 Jan 3:1-4.
https://doi.org/10.2147/SHTT.S227854
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21. Venter W, Coleman J, Chan VL, Shubber Z, Phatsoane M, Gorgens M, Stewart-Isherwood L, Carmona S, Fraser-Hurt N. Improving linkage to HIV care through mobile phone apps: Randomized controlled trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2018 Jul 17;6(7):e8376. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.8376
22. Ritchwood TD, Selin A, Pettifor A, Lippman SA, Gilmore H, Kimaru L, Hove J, Wagner R, Twine R, Kahn K. HIV self-testing: South African young adults' recommendations for ease of use, test kit contents, accessibility, and supportive resources. BMC Public Health. 2019 Jan 29;19(1):123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6402-4
23. Herrmann S, Power B, Rashidi A, Cypher M, Mastaglia F, Grace A, McKinnon E, Sarrot P, Michau C, Skinner M, Desai R. Supporting patient-clinician interaction in chronic HIV care: Design and development of a patient-reported outcomes software application. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2021 Jul 30;23(7):e27861. https://doi.org/10.2196/27861
24. Maksut JL, Eaton LA, Siembida EJ, Driffin DD, Baldwin R. A test of concept study of at-home, self-administered HIV testing with web-based peer counseling via video chat for men who have sex with men. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance. 2016 Dec 14;2(2):e6377. https://doi.org/10.2196/publichealth.6377
25. Tang W, Wei C, Cao B, Wu D, Li KT, Lu H, Ma W, Kang D, Li H, Liao M, Mollan KR. Crowdsourcing to expand HIV testing among men who have sex with men in China: A closed cohort stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. PLoS Medicine. 2018 Aug 28;15(8):e1002645. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002645
2. Dhingra D, Dabas A. Global strategy on digital health. Indian Pediatrics. 2020 Apr;57(4):356-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-020-1789-7
3. Syed R, Eden R, Makasi T, Chukwudi I, Mamudu A, Kamalpour M, Kapugama Geeganage D, Sadeghianasl S, Leemans SJ, Goel K, Andrews R. Digital health data quality issues: systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2023 Mar 31;25:e42615. https://doi.org/10.2196/42615
4. Popa V, Geissler J, Vermeulen R, Priest E, Capperella K, Susuzlu G, Terry SF, Brooke N. Delivering digital health solutions that patients need: A call to action. Therapeutic Innovation & Regulatory Science. 2024 Mar;58(2):236-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43441-023-00592-4
5. Lee JJ, Li Verdugo J, Xiao AY, Vo K. Digital interventions to enhance PrEP uptake and adherence through stigma reduction. Current HIV/AIDS Reports. 2023 Dec;20(6):458-69. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-023-00685-7
6. Horvath KJ, Walker T, Mireles L, Bauermeister JA, Hightow-Weidman L, Stephenson R. A systematic review of technology-assisted HIV testing interventions. Current HIV/AIDS Reports. 2020 Aug;17(4):269-80.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-020-00506-1
7. Arksey H, O'malley L. Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework. International Journal of Social Research Methodology. 2005 Feb 1;8(1):19-32.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1364557032000119616
8. Levac D, Colquhoun H, O'brien KK. Scoping studies: Advancing the methodology. Implementation science. 2010 Sep 20;5(1):69.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-5-69
9. Bailey JV, Tomlinson N, Hobbs LJ, Webster R. Challenges and opportunities in evaluating a digital sexual health intervention in a clinic setting: Staff and patient views. Digital health. 2017 Apr;3:2055207617704272.
https://doi.org/10.1177/2055207617704272
10. Grace D, Steinberg M, Kwag M, Chown SA, Doupe G, Trussler T, Rekart M, Gilbert M. Diagnostic technologies in practice: Gay men's narratives of acute or recent HIV infection diagnosis. Qualitative Health Research. 2015 Feb;25(2):205-17.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732314549813
11. Azelton KR, Crowley AP, Vence N, Underwood K, Morris G, Kelly J, Landry MJ. Digital health coaching for type 2 diabetes: Randomized controlled trial of healthy at home. Frontiers in Digital Health. 2021 Nov 25;3:764735. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.764735
12. Ngowi KM, Lyamuya F, Mmbaga BT, Muro E, Hillu Z, Shirima M, Aarnoutse RE, Sprangers MA, Nieuwkerk PT, Reiss P, Sumari-de Boer M. Technical and psychosocial challenges of mHealth usage for antiretroviral therapy adherence among people living with HIV in a resource-limited setting: Case series. JMIR Formative Research. 2020 Jun 10;4(6):e14649.
https://doi.org/10.2196/14649
13. Green SM, Lockhart E, Marhefka SL. Advantages and disadvantages for receiving Internet-based HIV/AIDS interventions at home or at community-based organizations. AIDS Care. 2015 Oct 3;27(10):1304-8.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2015.1051503
14. De Coul EO, Den Daas C, Spijker R, Heijman T, De Vos M, Götz H, Vermey K, Zuilhof W, Van den Boogaard J, Davidovich U, Zuure F. Web-supported social network testing for HIV among men who have sex with men with a migration background: Protocol for a mixed methods pilot study. JMIR Research Protocols. 2020 Feb 10;9(2):e14743.
https://doi.org/10.2196/14743
15. Siddiquee NK, Poudyal A, Pandey A, Shrestha N, Karki S, Subedi R, Sah AK, KC D. Telemedicine in resource-limited setting: Narrative synthesis of evidence in Nepalese context. Smart Homecare Technology and Telehealth. 2020 Jan 3:1-4.
https://doi.org/10.2147/SHTT.S227854
16. Al-Worafi YM. Technology for Health: Overview. Handbook of Medical and Health Sciences in Developing Countries: Education, Practice, and Research. 2023 Dec 22:1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74786-2_303-1
17. Alzahrani S, Daim T, Choo KK. Assessment of the blockchain technology adoption for the management of the electronic health record systems. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. 2022 Apr 26;70(8):2846-63. https://doi.org/10.1109/TEM.2022.3158185
18. Kitsiou S, Paré G, Jaana M. Effects of home telemonitoring interventions on patients with chronic heart failure: An overview of systematic reviews. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2015 Mar 12;17(3):e63. https://doi.org/10.2196/jmir.4174
19. Saurin TA, Patriarca R, Hegde S, Rayo M. The influence of digital technologies on resilient performance: Contributions, drawbacks, and a research agenda. Applied Ergonomics. 2024 Jul 1;118:104290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104290
20. Mumtaz H, Riaz MH, Wajid H, Saqib M, Zeeshan MH, Khan SE, Chauhan YR, Sohail H, Vohra LI. Current challenges and potential solutions to the use of digital health technologies in evidence generation: A narrative review. Frontiers in Digital Health. 2023 Sep 28;5:1203945. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2023.1203945
21. Venter W, Coleman J, Chan VL, Shubber Z, Phatsoane M, Gorgens M, Stewart-Isherwood L, Carmona S, Fraser-Hurt N. Improving linkage to HIV care through mobile phone apps: Randomized controlled trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth. 2018 Jul 17;6(7):e8376. https://doi.org/10.2196/mhealth.8376
22. Ritchwood TD, Selin A, Pettifor A, Lippman SA, Gilmore H, Kimaru L, Hove J, Wagner R, Twine R, Kahn K. HIV self-testing: South African young adults' recommendations for ease of use, test kit contents, accessibility, and supportive resources. BMC Public Health. 2019 Jan 29;19(1):123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6402-4
23. Herrmann S, Power B, Rashidi A, Cypher M, Mastaglia F, Grace A, McKinnon E, Sarrot P, Michau C, Skinner M, Desai R. Supporting patient-clinician interaction in chronic HIV care: Design and development of a patient-reported outcomes software application. Journal of Medical Internet Research. 2021 Jul 30;23(7):e27861. https://doi.org/10.2196/27861
24. Maksut JL, Eaton LA, Siembida EJ, Driffin DD, Baldwin R. A test of concept study of at-home, self-administered HIV testing with web-based peer counseling via video chat for men who have sex with men. JMIR Public Health and Surveillance. 2016 Dec 14;2(2):e6377. https://doi.org/10.2196/publichealth.6377
25. Tang W, Wei C, Cao B, Wu D, Li KT, Lu H, Ma W, Kang D, Li H, Liao M, Mollan KR. Crowdsourcing to expand HIV testing among men who have sex with men in China: A closed cohort stepped wedge cluster randomized controlled trial. PLoS Medicine. 2018 Aug 28;15(8):e1002645. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002645
| Issue | Articles in Press | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| HIV testing; digital health technology; accessibility; privacy; technology reliability; scoping review | ||
| Rights and permissions | |
|
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
How to Cite
1.
Suarnianti S, Damayanti N, Restika I, Kadrianti E, Wijayaningsih K, Suhartatik S. Challenges and opportunities for HIV screening with the support of health digital technology: A scoping review. NPT. 2025;:X-X.
