HIV Prevention: Digital Health Interventions to Improve Adherence to HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis

Taking a daily treatment of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can lower the risk of HIV infection for people who don’t have HIV and engage in behaviors that may increase their chances of of getting infected. The Community Preventive Services Task Force (CPSTF) recommends digital health interventions to improve both daily-use pill taking and retention in PrEP care. Digital health interventions use text messages, mobile apps, phone calls, or websites to deliver reminders, guidance, and support that may be tailored to an individual’s needs. Interventions provide one or more of the following: 

• Information about HIV, PrEP, and strategies for medication adherence
• Services intended to motivate participants, such as automated or interactive feedback, online forum discussions, virtual support groups, or adherence self-tracking
• Regular reminders for medication refills, virtual check-in appointments, and clinic visits

Interventions may be combined with in-person activities such as one-on-one counseling, peer-led group sessions, or patient navigation.