Revolutionizing HIV/AIDs Care: Developing a Mobile Application to Enhance Art Adherence Monitoring at Lira City, Northern Uganda. A cross-sectional study.

Lucy  Alobo; Derick  Modi; Marvin Musinguzi; Emmanuel Asher Ikwara Ikwara; Mathias Nyanzi; Richard  Nam; Daphine Among; Daniel Kizza

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2205

Authors

Lucy Alobo Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira-Uganda.
Derick Modi Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira-Uganda.
Marvin Musinguzi Lecturer at Lira University) Research supervisor
Emmanuel Asher Ikwara Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Makerere School of Public Health, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.
Mathias Nyanzi Uganda Technical College, P.O. Box 4, Lira, Uganda
Prof. Richard Nam Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira-Uganda.
Daphine Among Ober Health Center IV, P.O. Box 21,.Lira district, Uganda
Daniel Kizza Ober Health Center IV, P.O. Box 21,.Lira district, Uganda

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2205

Keywords:

HIV/AIDS care, ART adherence, Mobile health application, adherence monitoring, Antiretroviral Therapy, Lira City

Abstract

Background:

Poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a major challenge, particularly in Northern Uganda, where social and infrastructural barriers hinder treatment consistency. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an adherence monitoring mobile application at Ober Health Center IV, Lira City, Northern Uganda.

Methods.

A cross-sectional mixed-methods study was conducted among 35 ART users at Ober Health Center IV. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires, while qualitative insights were obtained through focus group discussions. Statistical associations between adherence and user variables were analyzed using chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Ethical approval and informed consent

Consent was obtained before data collection.

Results.

The majority of participants were aged 18–34 years (80%). Participants diagnosed 4–6 years earlier demonstrated 100% adherence improvement. Overall, 88.6% of participants demonstrated good adherence after using the app. Adherence improvement was significantly associated with duration on ART (p = 0.010), years since diagnosis (p = 0.010*), employment status (p = 0.011*), and preferred app features (p = 0.022*). While app usage frequency was not statistically significant (p = 0.088*), users reported improved motivation, easier dose tracking, and enhanced understanding of ART. Focus group discussions revealed that reminders, consultation, and peer-support features were most valued, although poor internet access and limited phone literacy posed challenges.

Conclusion:

The adherence monitoring app demonstrated high user acceptability and moderate effectiveness in improving ART adherence in Northern Uganda. Incorporating personalized reminders and interactive features enhanced treatment engagement.

Recommendation.

Expanding offline functionality and user training could further strengthen its impact and support scale-up across other HIV care settings.

Author Biographies

Lucy Alobo, Department of Environmental Health and Disease Control, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira-Uganda.

is a public Health officer and a WASH Specialist from Lira University, Uganda.

Derick Modi , Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira-Uganda.

is a public health specialist, MEAL Officer from Uganda Management Institute, Lecturer at the University of Cenacle, South Sudan.

Marvin Musinguzi, Lecturer at Lira University) Research supervisor

is a Lecturer at Lira University, holds a master’s degree of Public Health and PhD candidate from Tempere University.

Emmanuel Asher Ikwara, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Makerere School of Public Health, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda.

is a Lecturer at Makerere University– Research coordinator.

Mathias Nyanzi, Uganda Technical College, P.O. Box 4, Lira, Uganda

is a Lecturer at Uganda Technical College, Lira- to participants.

Prof. Richard Nam, Department of Community Health, Faculty of Public Health, Lira University, P.O. Box 1035, Lira-Uganda.

is the Commissioner at Uganda AIDS Commission.

Daphine Among, Ober Health Center IV, P.O. Box 21,.Lira district, Uganda

counselors at Ober Health Center IV, Lira district.

Daniel Kizza, Ober Health Center IV, P.O. Box 21,.Lira district, Uganda

is a Clinical Officer at Ober Health Center IV, Lira district.

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