An mHealth HIV prevention programme for youth: lessons learned from the iloveLife.mobi programme in South Africa.

A mobile-based behavioural change program iloveLive.mobi was implemented to prevent HIV among young people (12-24 years) in South Africa. The mobile site offered access to sexual and reproductive health and psychosocial information through interactive learning. The site provided incentives for positive behaviour (such as HIV testing). The research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the iloveLife.mobi site in promoting protective behaviour of users. A mixed-methods approach was used, including document review, KAPB survey (n = 1882), group discussions (n = 68) and telephonic interviews (n = 175) with users and interviews with 46 project and community stakeholders. The SRH and psychosocial information on the site was age-appropriate and useful to young people (82.2%). The site reached young men who are generally difficult to reach with SRH information. High-frequency users reported more confidence related to condom use and HIV testing and more protective behaviour (condom use, VMMC) compared to low-frequency users. Users also reported more protective behaviour (HIV testing, VMMC, condom use) than a comparable national sample. iloveLife.mobi became a repository for learning to reach young people with health information. The research highlights key issues to consider when implementing an mHealth platform in a low- or middle-income country, where literacy levels and technical infrastructure may cause challenges.

Experiences and Perceptions of Nuclear Medicine Technologists in the Assessment of Myocardial Perfusion Image Quality.

Nuclear medicine technologists (NMTs) are experts in the acquisition of myocardial perfusion (MP) images, in addition to the many other types of images acquired in nuclear medicine departments. NMTs are expected to ensure that images are of optimal quality in order to facilitate accurate interpretation by nuclear medicine physicians (NMPs). However, ensuring optimal image quality is a shared responsibility between NMTs and NMPs. The shared responsibilities have resulted in inconsistences in the assessment of MP image quality among NMTs in different departments. Little is known about the perceptions and experiences of NMTs on the assessment of MP image quality. Therefore, the focus of this research study was NMTs. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore and describe the perceptions and experiences of NMTs on the assessment of MP image quality. The research question was, "How do NMTs perform the responsibility of ensuring MP image quality?" Methods: The study followed a qualitative explorative approach using focus groups as a means of collecting data. Nineteen NMTs from 4 academic hospitals were purposefully selected to participate. A semistructured questionnaire was used to conduct the focus groups. The collected data were managed using a computer-aided qualitative data analysis software program to formulate codes, categories, and themes. Results: Two overarching themes emerged from the data: the management of MP images, and the resources required to support NMTs. NMTs differed in their management of MP images because of the prevailing circumstances in their respective departments. In addition, the results suggested that NMTs' level of involvement in the assessment of MP image quality was influenced by the availability of resources required for processing and assessing image quality. Conclusion: Despite the shared responsibility in the assessment of MP image quality with NMPs, NMTs considered themselves as playing a major role. However, resources to facilitate the assessment of image quality are considered necessary and should be available to support NMTs in submitting images of optimal quality for interpretation.

Integrating HIV prevention into services for abused women in South Africa.

The relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) and HIV risk is well documented, but few interventions jointly address these problems. We developed and examined the feasibility of an intervention to reduce HIV risk behaviors among 97 women seeking services for IPV from a community-based NGO in Johannesburg, South Africa. Two versions of the intervention (a 6-session group and a 1-day workshop) were implemented, both focusing on HIV prevention strategies integrated with issues of gender and power imbalance. Attendance was excellent in both intervention groups. Assessments were conducted at baseline, post-intervention and two-month follow-up to demonstrate the feasibility of an intervention trial. Women in both groups reported reductions in HIV misperceptions and trauma symptoms, and increases in HIV knowledge, risk reduction intentions, and condom use self-efficacy. The 6-session group showed greater improvements in HIV knowledge and decreases in HIV misperceptions in comparison to the 1-day workshop. The study demonstrated the feasibility and potential benefit of providing HIV prevention intervention to women seeking assistance for IPV.

Correlates of HIV testing among abused women in South Africa.

Gender-based violence increases a woman's risk for HIV but little is known about her decision to get tested. We interviewed 97 women seeking abuse-related services from a nongovernmental organization (NGO) in Johannesburg, South Africa. Forty-six women (47%) had been tested for HIV. Caring for children (odds ratio [OR] = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [0.07, 1.00]) and conversing with partner about HIV (OR = 0.13, 95% CI = [0.02, 0.85]) decreased odds of testing. Stronger risk-reduction intentions (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = [1.01, 1.60]) and seeking help from police (OR = 5.51, 95% CI = [1.18, 25.76]) increased odds of testing. Providing safe access to integrated services and testing may increase testing in this population. Infection with HIV is highly prevalent in South Africa where an estimated 16.2% of adults between the ages of 15 and 49 have the virus. The necessary first step to stemming the spread of HIV and receiving life-saving treatment is learning one's HIV serostatus through testing. Many factors may contribute to someone's risk of HIV infection and many barriers may prevent testing. One factor that does both is gender-based violence.