Abstract
Using technology to connect persons seeking information about HIV/AIDS to HIV medical and social service organizations in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo
Jean Armas, MPH1, Josh Bress, MD1, Givano Kashemwa Migabo, MD, MPH2, Darius Kulondwa2, Christian Kashogolo3 and Freud Muciza4
(1)Global Strategies, Albany, CA, (2)Global Strategies, Bukavu, CA, Congo (The Democratic Republic of the), (3)Fondation Femme Plus, Bukavu, CA, Congo (The Democratic Republic of the), (4)Fondation Femme Plus, CA, Congo (The Democratic Republic of the)
APHA's 2019 Annual Meeting and Expo (Nov. 2 - Nov. 6)
Stigma and fear of disclosing one's HIV status prevents persons from accessing HIV medical and social services in low-resource, post-conflict settings. Shifting stakeholders and a dynamic social service landscape result in significant year-to-year instability, making it difficult for those seeking to access assistance to locate accurate and up-to-date information on local HIV resources. Fondation Femme Plus (FFP), a non-profit based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), partnered with Global Strategies, an American non-profit, to create a digital resource map and toll-free information hotline to help connect community members seeking information about HIV/AIDS to HIV medical and social services in Bukavu, DRC. Between 2014 and 2016, FFP visited medical and social service organizations serving persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) throughout Bukavu and recorded contact information, service availability and GPS coordinates. The data was collected offline with tablets using a mobile data collection tool. FFP collected information about 113 programs. The online resource map was created using geographic information system software. The map is continuously validated and updated by FFP and their government partner to ensure the map is always kept current. In early 2017, the toll-free hotline was activated. From April 2017 to December 2018, the hotline answered 1459 calls from community members. Common hotline questions concern HIV transmission, stigma, and sexual health. Based on the content of the call, FFP operators then provided callers with the physical addresses and phone numbers of local community resources, such as HIV testing facilities. PLWHA need a private means of obtaining information about HIV resources in their communities. By coupling a toll-free HIV hotline to a digital map of HIV service organizations, we were able to attract a subgroup of community members concerned about HIV/AIDS and connect them to accurate and up-to-date information on local medical and social services.
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Program planning Provision of health care to the public Public health or related public policy Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health