New in mHealth: the App That Can Correctly Prescribe HIV Antiretroviral Medication

A new app is making it easier to prescribe the correct level of antiretroviral medication to HIV patients in South Africa.

Autor*in Anna Rees, 11.18.14

A new app is making it easier to prescribe the correct level of antiretroviral medication to HIV patients in South Africa.

We’re big fans of the organisation TechChange. Also known as the Institute for Technology and Social Change, TechChange is highly active in the field of using Information and Communications Technologies towards a greater good. Among other things, they offer in depth online courses that cover a range topics such as emergency management, peacebuilding and development. So when we heard that one of their course alumni had launched an app to help prescribe antiretroviral treatment (ART) for patients with HIV, we were intrigued.

Founded by Dr. Musaed Abrahams (who undertook one of TechChange’s mHealth programmes), the app, dubbed Aviro, is geared towards offering treatment to people in South Africa. Often, prescribing the correct mix of ART medications can be difficult (a 2014 study conducted in the UK estimated that errors in the correct prescription of ART occurs during 35 percent of HIV hospitalisations). This can be even more difficult in remote or underprvileged communities that lack adequate access to medical supplies and know-how.

The App has been built for specific use by South African-based HIV clinicians and provides essential real-time information, clinical prompts and calculations, some of which are often missed or overlooked during patient check ups. Launched at the beginning of this month, the app is available for Android and has already been downloaded by more than 300 healthcare professionals.

Check out Dr. Abrahams’ interview with TechChange over on their blog for more information on Aviro.

TAGGED WITH
The Virtual Fight Against HIV

It used to be that we played video games to escape reality. Now we can play them to better cope with reality. Video games, social networks and chat rooms can all be used to help prevent HIV.

Can Twitter Predict Outbreaks of HIV?

Not quite, but a recent study shows that the microblogging site can be used to monitor incidences of the virus with the hope of eventually being able to detect and forecast where outbreaks might occur.