Exploring the use of m-health technology for the self-management of persons living with HIV: a review

Background: Recently, m-health programs and applications are practical, user friendly, and an operative platform for the use of self-management tools for persons living with chronic condition especially HIV. M-health is the new technology that these persons can be take advantage for healthcare follow-up and self-management. Objectives: In this study a review to exploring the use of m-health technology for the self-management of persons living with HIV (PLWH) was carried out. Materials/Patients and Methods: A review was conducted in relevant databases including PubMed, CINAHL, Science direct, Web of Science and Proquest to find appropriate sources that published in 2010 to 2016. To identify related resources, an organized search was conducted with the following search keywords in combination: Mobile health, m-Health, Mobile phone, Cell phone, Smartphone, Self-management, Self-care, Application, Functionality, HIV, and AIDS. Results: Using the employed strategies, 191 references retrieved: PubMed (n=38), CINAHL (n=29), Science direct (n=46), Web of Science (n=42), and Proquest (n=36). Reviewed articles were classified in two categories, articles that had referred only to the applications or software and articles that had surveyed the functionality and performance of these applications. Conclusion: Review of articles showed that m-health programs such as HIV treatment talking tool, HIV medication guide, AIDSinfo HIV/AIDS glossary and AIDSinfo HIV/AIDS drug database can use for self-management of persons living with HIV. A set of applications such as appointment reminders, medication adherence, educational messages, and motivational messaging were mentioned as mobile-based self-management apps for PLWH.