The HIV transmission risk factors and opportunities for use of mHealth in HIV prevention among emerging adult population in the Sub-Saharan Africa context: a review of the literature

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this literature review was to understand the current practices and gaps in HIV prevention for the emerging adult population in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and to review the current state of mHealth in SSA and how this innovative approach can be tapped to enhance HIV awareness and prevention among emerging adults. Peer reviewed articles about HIV prevention in emerging adults in SSA were searched in PubMed, Global Health, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Web of Science databases. Specific criteria for eligibility included studies that were published over the last decade spanning from 2009 to 2019. A total of 114 articles were found, which met the preliminary search criteria, which was then followed by a quality check, and finally, 20 articles were synthesized. The review followed the scientific process of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four themes were identified included factors that place emerging adults at increased risk for HIV, the social and structural drivers of acquisition and transmission of HIV, current gaps in understanding HIV prevention and the current state of mHealth in SSA. Our discussion includes how mHealth can be tapped to enhance HIV awareness and prevention among emerging adults. HIV is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among SSA emerging adults. Addressing this burden will require renewed efforts to implement effective prevention strategies across multiple sectors, including educational, information technology, social, policy and health care systems that influence prevention knowledge, services and treatment options for emerging adults. .

KEYWORDS:

• Emerging adults
• Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA)
• HIV and AIDS prevention
• mHealth
• Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)

List of abbreviations

AIDS- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

AYA- Adolescent and Young Adult

COVID-19- Coronavirus Disease of 2019

eHealth-electronic Health

FGDs-Focus Group Discussions

HIV- Human Immunodeficiency Virus

HSV- Herpes Simplex Virus

ICTs- Information and Communication Technologies

mHealth-mobile Health

NASCOP-Kenya National AIDS and STI Control Program

PrEP- pre exposure prophylaxis

PRISMA- Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

SMS-Short Message System

MSM-Men having Sex with men

SSA-Sub-Saharan Africa

STI-Sexually Transmitted Infections

UNAIDS- United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS

UNICEF- United Nations Children’s Fund, formerly (1946–1953) United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to all colleagues and faculty who provided us with technical guidance and suggestions of review materials and reports during this literature review process.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Consent for publication

Not applicable

Availability of data and materials

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.

Additional information

Funding

The research article was not funded.