Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41433038›Full record

ArticleJMIR formative research2025

Development of an mHealth App Prototype for LGBTQIA+ Individuals' Sexual and Reproductive Health in Gauteng Province, South Africa: Design Science Research Study.

Raikane James Seretlo, Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle, Hanlie Smuts, Nombulelo Veronica Sepeng

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR formative research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Raikane James SeretloDepartment of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, 0204, South Africa, 27 12 521 411.ORCID 0000-0001-6459-9065
Mathildah Mpata MokgatleDepartment of Public Health, School of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Molotlegi Street, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, 0204, South Africa, 27 12 521 411.ORCID 0000-0001-5807-8212
Hanlie SmutsDepartment of Informatics, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-7120-7787
Nombulelo Veronica SepengDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-9394-557X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: The fast rate of technological advances in the health care sector remain as a pressing need for effective solutions that address the unique health care needs of sexual and gender minorities. If these innovative solutions are considered, societal challenges such as stigma, discrimination, and a lack of tailored health care resources, as experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) individuals could be addressed at lower cost. Objective: This study aimed to develop a mobile health (mHealth) app specifically designed to address the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and more (LGBTQIA+) individuals in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Methods: This study used a Design Science Research (DSR) framework and a mixed-method exploratory sequential approach. DSR was executed in three cycles: cycle one followed an ethnography approach; involved 33 health care providers (HCPs) and 22 LGBTQIA+ individuals, focusing on identifying specific SRH and the challenges encountered in accessing and providing these services. Participants shared their views on the potential role of mHealth apps in addressing these issues. Cycle two engaged 13 experts through Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach using the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) to collaboratively identify essential content for the app, fostering a co-creation process. Lastly, cycle three followed an interventional pre-experimental approach by involving software developers and principal investigator working together to develop a functional prototype of the mHealth app. Results: This study revealed critical insights into the specific SRH of LGBTQIA+ individuals, alongside the barriers faced by health care providers in meeting these needs. The co-created app prototype named "Queery wellness hub" was developed and incorporated features tailored to enhance accessibility, confidentiality, and user engagement, addressing both user and provider perspectives. Conclusions: The findings underscore the potential of mHealth apps in transforming the delivery of SRH for LGBTQIA+ individuals in South Africa. Continued collaboration with stakeholders is essential for further refinement and successful implementation of the app, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes for sexual and gender minorities.

Indexed as

Mobile ApplicationsReproductive HealthSexual and Gender MinoritiesSexual HealthTelemedicineAdultFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedResearch DesignSouth AfricaLesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual+LGBTQIA+mHealth appmobile healthprototypesexual and reproductive healthwellness

Identifiers

PMID41433038
PMCPMC12724484

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.