A mobile-based self-management application- usability evaluation from the perspective of HIV-positive people

Abstract

IntroductionSince patients can have different information needs in different stages of chronic diseases, the questions arise whether or not an intelligent system that offers care plans and special diets to HIV patients based on their stage of disease will be of any benefit. This study was conducted to evaluate a mobile-based self-management application adapted to the stages of HIV infection. MethodsA cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate the usability of the self-management app from the perspective of HIV people. A researcher-made questioner was used to usability evaluation of HIV self-management application. Simple random sampling was used to select the HIV-positive patients (n = 250) in five counseling and research centers for HIV/AIDS. The final questionnaire was distributed among the HIV patients and returned to the researcher. Data were collected over five months, from April to August 2019. ResultsThe study subjects’ attitude towards the motivational and educational effects of the mobile-based self-management application was positive. All of the HIV patients who were in the second stage of the disease frequently used the ‘antiretroviral treatment’ section of the application in 24 h. Half of the HIV patients who were in the third stage of the disease had used the ‘reminders’ section of the application three times in 24 h. ConclusionsThe use of a self-management application based on disease stages helps identify the patients’ different expectations and can respond to their psychological and social demands.