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. 2020 Jan 30;4(1):e13495.
doi: 10.2196/13495.

"Positive Peers": Function and Content Development of a Mobile App for Engaging and Retaining Young Adults in HIV Care

Mary M Step #  1 , Jennifer McMillen Smith #  2 , Joshua Kratz  3 , Julia Briggs  4 , Ann Avery #  2   5
Affiliations

"Positive Peers": Function and Content Development of a Mobile App for Engaging and Retaining Young Adults in HIV Care

Mary M Step et al. JMIR Form Res. .

Abstract

Background: Although treatment for HIV infection is widely available and well tolerated, less than 30% of adolescents and young adults living with HIV infection achieve stable viral suppression. Mobile technology affords increased opportunities for young people living with HIV to engage with information, health management tools, and social connections that can support adherence to treatment recommendations and medication. Although mobile apps are increasingly prevalent, few are informed by the target population.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the "Positive Peers" app, a mobile app currently being evaluated in a public hospital in the Midwestern United States. Formative development, key development strategies, user recruitment, and lessons learned are discussed in this paper.

Methods: "Positive Peers" was developed in collaboration with a community advisory board (CAB) comprising in-care young adults living with HIV and a multidisciplinary project team. Mobile app functions and features were developed over iterative collaborative sessions that were tailored to the CAB members. In turn, the CAB built rapport with the project team and revealed unique information that was used in app development.

Results: The study was funded on September 1, 2015; approved by the MetroHealth Institutional Review Board on August 31, 2016; and implemented from October 11, 2016, to May 31, 2019. The "Positive Peers" mobile app study has enrolled 128 users who reflect priority disparity population subgroups. The app administrator had frequent contact with users across app administration and study-related activities. Key lessons learned from the study include changing privacy concerns, data tracking reliability, and user barriers. Intermediate and outcome variable evaluation is expected in October 2019.

Conclusions: Successful development of the "Positive Peers" mobile app was supported by multidisciplinary expertise, an enthusiastic CAB, and a multifaceted, proactive administrator.

Keywords: HIV; mobile applications; self-management; young adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: JB is the CEO and owner of Blue Star Design, the marketing and design firm responsible for the technical creation of the app. Digital work was done in partnership with BlackBird Digital.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screenshot of the interactive medication reminder.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Screenshot of the Tales of Triumph homescreen.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Screenshot of The Blog.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Screenshot of the Community Forum.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Screenshot of the “Positive Peers” avatar collection.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Screenshot of a community forum post from the admin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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