Journal Article

Telehealth Interventions for HIV in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Kim, Sangmin, Pollack, Todd M., Linh, Đoàn Thị Thùy, Phan, Jessica M., Cosimi, Lisa A.

2022

Overview

Purpose of review This review summarizes technology-based interventions for HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We highlight potential benefits and challenges to using telehealth in LMICs and propose areas for future study. Recent findings We identified several models for using telehealth to expand HIV health care access in LMICs, including telemedicine visits for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) services, telementoring programs for providers, and virtual peer-support groups. Emerging data support the acceptability and feasibility of these strategies. However, further investigations are needed to determine whether these models are scalable and sustainable in the face of barriers related to cost, infrastructure, and regulatory approval. Summary HIV telehealth interventions may be a valuable approach to addressing gaps along the HIV care cascade in LMICs. Future studies should focus on strategies for expanding existing programs to scale and for assessing long-term clinical outcomes.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use / Antiretroviral agents / Antiretroviral drugs / Antiretroviral therapy / COVID-19 / Developing Countries / Disease prevention / eHealth and HIV (J Stekler and D Katz / eHealth and HIV (J Stekler and D Katz, Section Editors) / Health care access / HIV / HIV Infections - drug therapy / HIV Infections - prevention & control / Human immunodeficiency virus / Humans / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis / Section Editors / Telemedicine / Topical Collection on eHealth and HIV