Abstract
Objective: We aimed to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a co-designed
mobile health (mHealth) application (PrEP-EmERGE) within a digital health
pathway to support HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to evaluate the usability and acceptability
of the PrEP-EmERGE app. Data were collected via an online survey sent
to all PrEP EmERGE users in September 2021. Usability was assessed with a
validated usability tool, the System Usability Scale (SUS). Acceptability was
assessed using modified patient-reported experience measures (PREMs). Quantitative
data were analysed using descriptive and/or inferential statistics and
qualitative data (free text responses) using thematic analysis.
Results: In total, 81/133 (61%) active PrEP EmERGE users completed the
online survey, which was available directly from their PrEP EmERGE app:
78/81 (96%) identified as cis-male, 74/81 (91%) reported their ethnicity as
‘white’, 69/81 (85%) reported daily PrEP use, 7/81 (9%) reported using an
event-based dosing schedule, and 5/81 (6%) were switching between dosing
schedules. Overall, the median SUS score was 78/100 (interquartile range: 70–
92). There were no differences in median SUS scores by PrEP dosing schedules
(p = 0.78) or months of experience of using the app (p = 0.31). Overall, 73/81
(90%) would recommend the PrEP EmERGE app to a friend and 78/81 (96%)
rated their satisfaction of the app as excellent, good or satisfactory. The free
text responses generated three key themes: accessibility (for results and information);
autonomy [taking responsibility for their (sexual) health] and functionality
(including technical recommendations for app development and the
digital health pathway).
mobile health (mHealth) application (PrEP-EmERGE) within a digital health
pathway to support HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to evaluate the usability and acceptability
of the PrEP-EmERGE app. Data were collected via an online survey sent
to all PrEP EmERGE users in September 2021. Usability was assessed with a
validated usability tool, the System Usability Scale (SUS). Acceptability was
assessed using modified patient-reported experience measures (PREMs). Quantitative
data were analysed using descriptive and/or inferential statistics and
qualitative data (free text responses) using thematic analysis.
Results: In total, 81/133 (61%) active PrEP EmERGE users completed the
online survey, which was available directly from their PrEP EmERGE app:
78/81 (96%) identified as cis-male, 74/81 (91%) reported their ethnicity as
‘white’, 69/81 (85%) reported daily PrEP use, 7/81 (9%) reported using an
event-based dosing schedule, and 5/81 (6%) were switching between dosing
schedules. Overall, the median SUS score was 78/100 (interquartile range: 70–
92). There were no differences in median SUS scores by PrEP dosing schedules
(p = 0.78) or months of experience of using the app (p = 0.31). Overall, 73/81
(90%) would recommend the PrEP EmERGE app to a friend and 78/81 (96%)
rated their satisfaction of the app as excellent, good or satisfactory. The free
text responses generated three key themes: accessibility (for results and information);
autonomy [taking responsibility for their (sexual) health] and functionality
(including technical recommendations for app development and the
digital health pathway).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 502-506 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Hiv medicine |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 22 Sept 2022 |
Keywords
- mHealth
- HIV
- pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)