A smartphone application to reduce time-to-notification of sexually transmitted infections

A.C. Cohen, F. Zimmerman, M. Prelip and D. Glik

American Journal of Public Health, 2017, vol. 107, issue 11, 1795-1800

Abstract: Objectives.To measure whether the implementation of Healthvana-an online patient engagement platform and smartphone application-reduced the number of days between sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing, notification, and treatment at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Wellness Centers. Methods.We analyzed the retrospective data for 917 male clients who tested positive and received treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2015.Weincluded 8 AHF Wellness Centers from California and Florida in the study. We used regression models to evaluate the relationship between Healthvana implementation (pre-Healthvana vs post-Healthvana) and the number of days between the STI test, notification, and treatment. Results. Following Healthvana implementation at the AHF Wellness Centers, the mean number of days decreased between the STI test and notification, from 8 to 6 days. The mean number of days between the overall STI test and treatment decreased from 12 to 10 days. Regression models found the reduction in the number of days from STI test to notification to be statistically significant. Conclusions. Smartphone applications like Healthvana are promising technologies to ensure clients are successfully and immediately notified of their STI test results.

Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2017.303999_3

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2017.303999

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