Usability Study Shows Smartphone App Effectively Tracks HIV Risk Behaviors in MSM

Sat, 02 May 2026 23:54:00 +0200

A recent development and usability study conducted in Peru evaluated a smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) app designed to track HIV risk behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. The study highlights the potential of EMA technology to capture real-time data on sensitive behaviors, helping reduce recall bias and stigma-related reporting issues. Ten participants took part in a three-phase evaluation, including usability testing, a 10-day field trial, and a debriefing focus group. The app received a mean usability rating of 6.4 out of 7, reflecting high satisfaction, ease of use, and perceived usefulness. Compliance during the field test was 93%, suggesting that daily tracking of health risk behaviors is feasible in this population. Participants praised the app for being navigable and time-efficient, and noted that features like daily reminders and incentives could support longer-term engagement. The study emphasizes the value of EMA apps in capt