Post-Pandemic Trends in Telehealth and mHealth: A Systematic Review of Their Impact on HIV Treatment and Prevention

Abstract

Background: Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART) access, with over 30.7 million people on treatment by 2023, challenges in achieving viral suppression persist. Telehealth and mobile health (mHealth) technologies demonstrated efficacy in maintaining HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet their sustainability and effectiveness in the post-pandemic era, particularly in low-resource settings, remain uncertain. Aim: This systematic review synthesizes evidence on the impact of telehealth and mHealth interventions on HIV treatment adherence, prevention, and patient engagement post-COVID-19. Objectives: The primary objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth and mHealth tools in improving ART adherence and prevention measures, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Secondary objectives include identifying barriers and facilitators to implementation, examining regional variations, and recommending scalable and sustainable digital intervention strategies. Methods: This review follows PRISMA 2020 guidelines to analyze studies published from 2020 onwards. Inclusion criteria focus on peer-reviewed studies assessing telehealth and mHealth interventions for HIV care, with clear outcomes on ART adherence, viral suppression, PrEP uptake, and patient satisfaction. Studies in resource-limited settings, particularly sub-Saharan Africa, are emphasized. The primary outcomes include ART adherence, viral suppression, and PrEP uptake, while secondary outcomes focus on patient satisfaction, stigma reduction, and healthcare accessibility. Results: The findings will highlight the role of telehealth and mHealth in improving adherence and prevention measures, the impact of regional disparities, and factors influencing scalability and sustainability. Insights into the adaptability of these tools post-pandemic will inform policy and strategy to enhance HIV care delivery, particularly for marginalized populations in low-resource settings. Conclusion: This review will provide critical evidence on the effectiveness and scalability of digital interventions for HIV care, guiding their integration into long-term management strategies in resource-constrained contexts.