Usability of mobile phones for personal health care by people living with HIV/AIDS

Mobile phones are necessary information tools for people in all walks of life, and people use it to meet their general and special needs. People living with human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) use the technology to meet their health information needs. The aim of this study was to examine the use of mobile phone to support personal health care management by HIV/AIDS clients in three selected Antiretroviral Therapy Centres in South Western Nigeria. Data was collected from 362 PLWHA aged 18 years and above using a questionnaire. Very often, many respondents used mobile phones to encourage and comfort another HIV/AIDS client that they know, learn new HIV/AIDS services and get health educational materials. They also use mobile phones very often to seek advice on health issues from any sources. Most of the phone calls cited by the respondents include calls with nurse (61.0%). The largest proportion of phone calls received by the people living with HIV/AIDS came from their families/relatives (82.9%), while treatment partners were next (62.4%). Dedicated mobile applications to connect PLWHA with health care givers will contribute immensely in strengthening interaction between health care providers and PLWHA.