JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Background:

In several parts of the world, men who have sex with men and transgender people are often criminalized and discriminated against. Consequently, they are less likely to seek medical help despite experiencing higher rates of HIV/AIDS, mental health conditions, and other problems. It can be challenging to reach key populations (KPs) with necessary testing, care, and treatment services as they frequently have a higher chance of contracting the virus and a higher risk of spreading it to others, but they have limited access to ARV therapy services. Therefore, KPs will continue to act as a reservoir for new HIV infections if they don't receive effective HIV programming, making it difficult to control the epidemic. Hence, modelling a digital health system to track ARV medication access and use is necessary. This paper, therefore, argues for the role of digital intervention in managing the health of key populations in underserved regions using Nigeria as a case study.

Objective:

Objective:

This study aimed at assessing digital health interventions for monitoring medication and consultation among transgender people in underserved communities. It also sets out to find out if there was a system in place that could be utilised to support ARV adherence in Nigeria. The study also evaluated the design strategies that can be used to address the privacy and confidentiality of the key populations to suppress the non-adherence to ARV medications among the key populations in Nigeria.

Methods:

Methods:

Qualitative approach was adopted for the research through a thematic analysis of information collected from an interview with clinicians and other health practitioners who work directly with members of these communities, in addition to an interactive workshop.

Results:

Results:

The findings from the thematic analysis show the need for a boost of attendance for antiretroviral therapy sessions through an intensive care web application. Unlike previous solutions, this study also finds the need for a reminder feature that works in line with an in-App telemedicine consultancy platform to discuss client challenges such as drug adverse effects, counselling sessions with clinical psychologists, and the impact of identity discrimination on mental health. Other data-driven health needs from the findings of this study include unique drug request nodes, client-led viral load calculators, remote requests, and drug delivery from the web app. Participants from the study also argue for monitoring medication compliance and user rating through feedback for encouragements such as stars, okay signs, etc.

Conclusions:

Conclusions:

The study concludes that by using technology-driven solutions, ARV therapy adherence may be increased and HIV transmission among transgender people can be suppressed while recommending the need for local government and international organisations to collaborate and invest in health management services that put health needs before identity.