H+YouthCare App

HIV/AIDS is a significant global health challenge affecting people of all ages. As of September 2021, Uganda had a significant HIV/AIDS burden among its youth population. The annual incidence of HIV among adults (defined as those aged 15 years and older) in Uganda was 0.29% between 2020 and 20211. The annual incidence among the youth (15 to 24 years) is higher at 0.31%. Among those living with HIV, youth, particularly those between 15 and 24 years of age, face distinct challenges related to stigma, disclosure, adherence to medication regimens, and access to relevant information and support services. Youth living with HIV are dominated with fear and this strongly affects their life and both voluntary and involuntary disclosure of their status are highly dreaded due to the threat of HIV-related stigma2. According to a study conducted in 2018, 19.1% of young people living with HIV in East Central Uganda have experienced external stigma3.

According to the Uganda Population-Based HIV Impact Assessment (UPHIA) of 2022 (data collected from 2020 to 2021), Uganda needs to implement strategies that deliver HIV diagnostic services and access to lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART) to the underserved with emphasis on surveillance to detect new HIV infections, coupled with timely provision of treatment and combination prevention services to interrupt further transmission.

A mobile application can serve as a valuable tool to address the various challenges and provide essential resources and implement some of these strategies

The proposed solution, the H+YouthCare, will  provide a safe space for youth living with HIV to access critical medical information, medication reminders, and gain advise from professionals and peers to empower and support HIV-positive youth in managing their health and well-being. The app seeks to address the unique challenges faced by young individuals living with HIV and promote their health and quality of life.

The H+YouthCare App will have the following features:

1.     Diagnostic centres: The app will provide location of diagnostic centres around the country showing centres with free services and paid centres.

2.     Medication centres: The app will provide location of treatment centres around the country showing centres with free services, subsidized services and paid centres. These will include hospitals, clinics, NGO stations and medical camps.

3.     Support centres: The app will provide location of support centres for HIV patients around the country. This will include nutritionists, mental health practitioners, providers of products that help HIV patients and other such extra services.

4.     Information Hub: The app will provide comprehensive, age-appropriate information about HIV/AIDS, including transmission, prevention, treatment options, and the importance of adherence to medication. This section will be user-friendly, engaging, and regularly updated with reliable sources.

5.     Medication Reminders: The app will allow users to set personalized medication reminders. These reminders will be accompanied by motivational messages and rewards to encourage consistent adherence to treatment.

6.     Support Community: Users will have access to a supportive online community where they can connect with peers facing similar challenges. They can share experiences, seek advice, and find emotional support in a safe and private environment.

7.     Emergency Resources: In case of emergencies or health concerns, the app will provide direct access to emergency hotlines, healthcare providers, and clinics specializing in HIV care.

8.     Stigma Reduction: Educational content and resources will be available to help users combat HIV-related stigma and discrimination, empowering them to live with confidence and self-esteem.

9.     Anonymous Q&A: A feature that allows users to ask questions anonymously, which will be answered by healthcare professionals or trained volunteers.

10.  News and Updates: Regular updates on HIV-related news, advancements in treatment, and inspirational stories from young individuals living with HIV.

11.  Mental Health: Experts in mental health will be available to provide support to youth facing challenges.

Benefits:

The proposed app aims to achieve several positive outcomes:

1.     Improved adherence to medication and treatment regimens.

2.     Increased knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS.

3.     Reduced stigma and discrimination experienced by HIV-positive youth.

4.     Enhanced emotional well-being through community support.

5.     Timely access to emergency healthcare resources.

The app will be web based with a mobile version for ease of access.

The app will help HIV positive youth to avoid stigma, provide the youth vital information on HIV, and create a community with peers familiar with their condition would go a long way in making youth living with HIV less isolated and equip them to better face the world.

The H+YouthCare app is specifically designed for youth aged 15 to 30 who are living with HIV, as well as their caregivers and healthcare providers.

Youth living with HIV face distinct challenges such as stigma, disclosure, failure to adhere to medication regimens, and lack of access to relevant information and support services. Youth living with HIV are dominated with fear and this strongly affects their life and both voluntary and involuntary disclosure of their status are highly dreaded due to the threat of HIV-related stigma. 

The proposed app will be web based with a mobile version and therefore will be accessed remotely countering the issue of stigma and forced disclosure of status at facilities.

The H+Youthcare app will provide much needed information for the HIV positive youth including location of healthcare centres that provide HIV+ care, news about HIV, symptoms, medication and other key information that is essential for HIV positive patients.

The app will have locations of of diagnostic and health facilities offering HIV+ care and allow users to rate them to allow users to avoid stigma rich facilities.

The H+youthcare app will send users reminders to take their medication which will help them keep up with their medication regimens and counter their symptoms and ultimately improve their health.

The app will have a chat section which will be a support community where users can chat ANONYMOUSLY with peers in the same situation. This will counter isolation faced by HIV+ youth.

The app will have a "CHAT WITH A COUNSELLOR" section where users can chat with mental health care providers on a probono basis given that they are young and therefore have no income. This will promote mental health of the HIV+ users.

Both team members work at Universities and engage students and young innovators on a daily basis. Some of these youths are HIV positive. It is from these engagements that the team developed this vital solution to counter these very real and pressing issues.

Customized Health Management: The app will offer personalized health management features youth living with HIV including medication reminders, appointment reminders, and offering tips for managing side effects and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Mental Health and Well-Being: Given the mental health challenges associated with an HIV diagnosis, the app will incorporate innovative mental health support including access to therapists and support groups, and meditation or relaxation exercises.

Education and Awareness: The app will provide information about HIV, its management, and prevention which is innovative.

Peer Support: The app will have community where young people can connect, share experiences, and provide peer support. This is highly innovative, and it will encourage connections among those with shared experiences which will help reduce feelings of isolation.

Sexual Health and Relationships: The app will provide information about safe sex practices, managing relationships, and support for disclosure to partners, addressing the specific sexual health concerns of youth with HIV is essential.

Empowerment and Goal Setting: The app will help youth living with HIV to focus on the future, beyond their HIV status by allowing them to set and track their life goals and progress, like education, career, or personal life, can be empowering.

Language and Accessibility: The app will be multilingual which will ensure inclusivity and accessibility to a wide range of users, including those with disabilities.

The solution will have the following impact goals:

1. Increased medication adherence, through reminders and tracking.
2. Improved knowledge on HIV management, treatment options, and healthy living practices.
3. Reduced isolation, through peer support and connection with others facing similar challenges.
4. Improved mental health of HIV+ youth through counsellor consultations via the app.

By 2029, we hope to have achieved the following:

1. 95% of youth living with HIV to have Viral Load suppression (UNAIDS 95–95–95 targets)

2. Youth living with HIV affected by mental health challenge reduced to 5%

3. 95% increase in engagement with healthcare provider

These goals will be monitored by use of a questionnaire tool among a select sample from the whole population of youth living with HIV in Uganda.

Overall impact:

• To improve the overall well-being and health outcomes of youth living with HIV and contribute to countering the stigma associated with the condition, both voluntary and involuntary disclosure of status, poor adherence to medication regimens, lack of access to relevant information and support services. 

Specific Objectives (Outcomes):

1. Outcome 1: Improved Medication Adherence

   • Indicator: Percentage increase in users consistently taking prescribed medications.
   • Means of Verification: Medication adherence tracking within the app, healthcare provider reports if allowed by user.
   • Assumptions and Risks: Access to medication, side effects management, user engagement.

2. Outcome 2: Enhanced Mental Health

   • Indicator: Reduction in the incidence of mental health issues (e.g., depression and anxiety) among users.
   • Means of Verification: Self-assessment tools, user surveys, mental health resource utilization.
   • Assumptions and Risks: Access to mental health resources, user engagement.

3. Outcome 3: Increased Engagement with Healthcare Providers

   • Indicator: Percentage of users engaging with healthcare providers through the app.
   • Means of Verification: Tracking of teleconsultations, appointment reminders, healthcare provider feedback.
   • Assumptions and Risks: Healthcare provider availability, user willingness to engage.

Activities (Outputs):

1. Develop a user-friendly web-based and mobile application with medication reminder features.
2. Provide access to mental health resources within the app, including counseling and support groups.
3. Create an interactive community forum for users to share experiences and provide peer support.
4. Implement telemedicine features for consultations with healthcare providers.
5. Disseminate educational content on HIV management, safe sex practices, and self-care.

The team is comprised of two members.

A developer will be engaged to develop the solution once development begins.

A month.

The team is currently comprised of 2 women. However, the team plans to onboard field operators during deployment. These will be engaged on a non biased call allowing all groups to respond and be considered.