Digital health interventions in HIV projects in Kenya

Background: Although the field of digital health is rapidly growing, there is scanty information on the impact of these interventions on the overall performance of health projects. Objectives: We assessed the influence of utilisation of four types of digital health interventions (DHIs) and application of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices on performance of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) projects. Method: This was a cross-sectional survey across eight public health facilities providing care to HIV patients and where all the four types of DHIs were being implemented in Kisumu County, Kenya. A total of 191 service providers who were at their stations of work on the day of data collection were recruited into the study. Aspects of utilisation of the DHIs, application of M&E practices and performance of the HIV projects were measured using standardised 12 statements on a 5-point Likert scale. Results: Using a multi-linear regression model, we established that the four DHIs could potentially explain 22% (R2 = 0.22; p-value < 0.001 at 95% confidence interval) of variation in performance of HIV projects. Application of best M&E practices could further explain the variation of the relationship between utilisation of DHIs and performance of HIV or AIDS projects up to 33.2% (R2 = 0.332; p-value < 0.001 at 95% confidence interval). Conclusion: Optimal utilisation of DHIs improves performance of HIV projects. Contribution: This study provides evidence on the importance of utilising digital health in managing health projects. Further, it augments the central role of monitoring and evaluation in project performance.