Perspectives on App-Assisted Self-Testing Using Rapid Diagnostic Tests Among Community Members, Health Care Providers, and Public Health Leaders in Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia: Qualitative Study
Self-testing, both alone and app-assisted, was viewed as acceptable and relevant for increasing health care accessibility and efficiency in these low-resource settings. However, to optimize its benefits, efforts must address challenges related to test accuracy, infrastructure development, data privacy, and integration into existing health care systems. Policies should further emphasize education, support, user-friendly design, and minimal costs to ensure equitable access and effective implementation across diverse populations.
Authors
- Anna Winters (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5675-608X)
- Alastair van Heerden (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2530-6885)
- Hilton Humphries (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8503-4127)
- Derek Pollard (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8585-8172)
- Elizabeth A. Bukusi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2031-2808)
- Paul K. Drain (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9569-4097)
- Sol E. Cooper (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6371-5301)
- Zachary Kwena (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5117-5084)
- Gabrielle O’Malley (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7514-8240)
- Chanda Mwamba (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7626-6273)
- Patricia Maritim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8920-009X)
- Anjali Sharma (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8189-0732)
- Dino Rech (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7493-7748)
- Meagan J. Bemer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0009-7589)
- Jennifer F. Morton (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3080-6254)
- Norton Sang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0092-7776)
- Thandanani Madonsela (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8473-622X)
- Lenika Naiken (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8337-0376)
- Ayanda Tshazi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6247-7461)
- Amber Lauff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6628-1293)
Institutions
- Human Sciences Research Council (ZA)
- Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (ZM)
- Western Cape Department of Health (ZA)
- University of Cape Town (ZA)
- University of Washington (US)
- University of Lusaka (ZM)
- Kenya Medical Research Institute (KE)
- University of Zambia (ZM)
- Missoula County Public Schools (US)
- Section27 (ZA)
- Umkhuseli Innovation and Research Management (ZA)
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center (US)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (ZA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Medical Internet Research
- Published
- 2025-11-26
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.2196/70273
- Primary Topic
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00