Identifying Requirements of Mobile-Based Self-Management System for Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Due to the widespread use of mobile-based systems, and the low cost of this technology, application of mobile-based self-management system can lead to adherence to the treatment and promotion of the health for the people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The purpose of this study was to identify requirements for the mobile-based self-management system for these people.

This study was a descriptive one, carried out in two main phases in year 2017. In the first stage, in order to identify the requirements for the mobile-based self-management system, similar articles were searched and reviewed, and in the second phase, identified requirements were validated using a researcher-made questionnaire. The statistical population was infectious diseases specialists affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics methods.

The requirements for the self-management system were identified in four categories: demographic data requirements, clinical data requirements, technical capabilities, and self-management strategies. Furthermore, according to the research community' attitude, six data elements for demographic category, 10 data elements for clinical category, 11 features for technical capabilities, and 10 items for self-management strategies were selected.

Use of proposed requirements strategies can improve the self-management skills and medication adherence of the people living with human immunodeficiency virus, and facilitate their communication with health care providers.