Creating a Usable and Effective Digital Intervention to Support Men to Test for HIV and Link to Care in A...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health Interventions (DHIs)
• Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)
• Public Health

Background:

• Designing effective digital health interventions (DHIs) presents significant challenges.
• The person-based approach (PBA) incorporates user perspectives but lacks explicit iterative design stages.
• Human-computer interaction (HCI) methods offer valuable techniques for DHI development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt and synthesize PBA and HCI approaches for DHI development.
• To present a case study of the Empowering People through Informed Choices for HIV (EPIC-HIV1) DHI.
• To inform the design of DHIs for hard-to-reach populations in rural South Africa.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of EPIC-HIV1 development documentation.
• Application of PBA for initial content and theory development.
• Iterative refinement using HCI methods with local community input.

Main Results:

• PBA yielded initial prototype but lacked user engagement and inclusivity.
• Four iterative refinement cycles with 29 participants using HCI methods.
• Key improvements included clearer option consequences, minimized misconceptions, and addressed user concerns.

Conclusions:

• DHIs require situationally appropriate development techniques.
• PBA informed content, while tailored HCI methods enhanced usability and effectiveness.
• Iterative testing ensured ease of use and effective communication of clinical messages.