mHealth Utilization and Access to Treatment by Teenagers Living with HIV/AIDS in Island Communities of Lake Victoria, Kenya

Abstract

The utilization of mobile health (mHealth) technologies has the potential to transform healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-limited settings such as the island communities of Lake Victoria. This study explores the effect of mHealth utilization on access to treatment for teenagers living with HIV/AIDS in these communities, where traditional healthcare services face numerous challenges including geographical isolation, limited infrastructure, and socio-economic barriers. The research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how mHealth can enhance treatment access and improve health outcomes for this vulnerable population. The study population consisted of 409 teenagers in Ringiti, Remba, Rusinga, Mfangano, and Mageta islands. Questionnaires were administered to 173 sampled teenagers living with HIV as unit of analysis, and a control group made up of 30 percent of the sample that ascertained the effect of mHealth on treatment access. Most teenagers were aged 12-14 years old, with more males than females having access to smart phones. Mobile phone ownership and access were primarily through parents, siblings, and healthcare workers, who also bought airtime and bundles. Most teenagers spent 6-15 minutes accessing HIV information via mobile phones. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation (R = 0.318, p < 0.001) between the characterization of mHealth users and access to treatment, indicating that as the effectiveness of mHealth utilization increases, so does access to treatment. This suggests that mHealth technologies can play a crucial role in overcoming the barriers to treatment access in these communities. Moreover, the study found that knowledge management practices within mHealth applications significantly enhance treatment access. A positive correlation (R = 0.549, p < 0.001) was observed, underscoring the importance of comprehensive information dissemination, health education, and digital health literacy. The regression coefficients (B = 0.512) indicated that effective knowledge management within mHealth platforms leads to substantial improvements in treatment access, highlighting the need for well-designed educational components within these technologies.Technology obsolescence emerged as another significant factor influencing treatment access. The study found a positive correlation (R = 0.346, p < 0.001) between technology obsolescence and treatment access, suggesting that as newer technologies are adopted, access to treatment improves. Community-based health systems also played a pivotal role in facilitating treatment access. A significant positive correlation (R = 0.339, p < 0.001) was found between robust community health systems and improved treatment access. This highlights the importance of integrating mHealth initiatives with existing community health frameworks to enhance their effectiveness.In conclusion, the study demonstrates that mHealth technologies have significant potential to improve access to treatment for teenagers living with HIV/AIDS in the island communities of Lake Victoria. Effective utilization of mHealth, enhanced by robust knowledge management, up-to-date technology, and strong community-based health systems, can lead to substantial improvements in treatment access and health outcomes. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the critical factors that influence the effectiveness of mHealth in improving healthcare access in resource-limited settings..