Kita Banget Application Developing a Smartphone-based Mobile Application for Better Access to Key Population's HIV Test and Treatment

Background:Active case finding is essential in HIV prevention and treatment. Recently, the outreach program held by health facilities and community-based organizations faces some obstacles to reach man sex with a man (MSM) and transgender women (TGW) groups due to their unique characteristics that mostly hide their identity during the COVID-19 pandemic as they also limit physical and social activities. Nowadays, the use of the Internet and social media among MSMs and TGWs to socialize and find a sexual partner is becoming a trend. Thus, a mobile application was developed to provide better HIV tests and treatment access among these groups. Aims:This study aimed to assess the Kita BangetApplicationdevelopmentfeasibility.Settings and Design:The study was participatory action research, consisted of the need forassessment, prototype development, and field testing.Methods and Material:There were 165 MSMs andTGWs involved as the participants in this study. First, they were involved in FGDs (Focused Group Discussion) about what type of information wasneededin the mobile application. Then, the prototype was developed and field-tested. A 7-scale Post-Study System Usability Questionnaire (PSSUQ) was given to evaluate the prototype. The prototype was classified as Good if the mean score of PSSUQwas> 4 (median).Statistical analysis used:Athematic analysis was performed to identify the type of information needed in the mobile application and the strength as well as the weakness of the mobile application's development.Adescriptive statistical analysis was also performed to calculate the PSSUQ score using STATA 12.Results:The HIV test and treatment in the form of a mobile application was supported by all of the participants. From the FGDs result, it was found there were six main features that were expected to be inputtedinthe mobile application. The six main featureswereHIV test services, ARV/ART services, health information, counseling service, personal health record, and emergency call. The Kita Banget'slogo and the application design were also explored to make a user-friendly mobile application for the MSM and TGW groups. The PSSUQ showed that the mean score was 6.28 (SD=0.95). Therefore, the prototype developed was classified as Good. This prototype is still tested toa wider MSM/TGW population and is expected togain more Lubis et al (2021):Kita Banget Application: Developing a Smartphone-based Mobile Application Jan 2021 Vol. 24 Issue 01 Annals of Tropical Medicine & Public Health http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2021.24146 insight intofurtherdevelopment and implementation.Conclusions:The Kita Bangetapplicationconsisted of six features,whichmostly abouttheinformation on HIV and the testing locations. The Kita Banget App had positive feasibility as a tool to provide better access to HIV tests and treatment among MSM/TGW groups. Beforeimplementing this prototype into a real setting, it is necessary to provide more features that benefit the targeted population to gain more users.