Correlates of mobile phone use in HIV care: Results from a cross-sectional study in South Africa

• We examine data collected at a large hospital in Soweto, South Africa.
• We investigate groups least likely to use mobile phones as reminders in HIV care.
• Older women, with low education and low income did not use mHealth in HIV care.
• Interventions should be tailored to improve uptake of mHealth among groups at risk.

ObjectiveHuman Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a major disease burden worldwide. Challenges include retaining patients in care and optimizing adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). One possible solution is using mobile phones as reminder tools. The main aim of our study was to identify patient demographic groups least likely to use mobile phones as reminder tools in HIV care.DesignThe data came from a cross-sectional study at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto Township, South Africa.MethodsA comprehensive questionnaire was used to interview 883 HIV infected patients receiving ART. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the influence of age, gender, education level, marital status, number of sexual partners in the last three months, income level, and employment status on the use of mobile phone as reminders for clinic appointments and taking medication.ResultsPatient groups significantly associated with being less likely to use mobile phones as clinic appointment reminders were: a) patients 45 years or older, b) women, and c) patients with only primary or no schooling level. Patient groups significantly associated with being less likely to use mobile phones as medication reminders were: a) patients 35 years or older and b) patients with a lower monthly income.ConclusionsIn this setting being a woman, of older age, lower education, and socio-economic level were risk factors for the low usage of mobile phones as reminder aids. Future studies should assimilate reasons for this, such that patient-specific barriers to implementation are identified and interventions can be tailored.