Use of the Whatsapp application in health follow-up of people with HIV: a thematic analysis

Lima, Ivana Cristina Vieira de; Galvão, Marli Teresinha Gimeniz; Pedrosa, Samyla Citó; Cunha, Gilmara Holanda da; Costa, Ana Karoline Bastos

doi:10.1590/2177-9465-EAN-2017-0429

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RESEARCH • Esc. Anna Nery 22 (3) • 2018 • https://doi.org/10.1590/2177-9465-EAN-2017-0429 copy

Use of the Whatsapp application in health follow-up of people with HIV: a thematic analysis

Uso de aplicación Whatsapp para seguimiento de salud de personas con VIH: un análisis temático

Authorship SCIMAGO INSTITUTIONS RANKINGS

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the statements of people living with HIV during a health follow-up through the WhatsApp^® application.

Methods:

A descriptive study, using a qualitative approach, was conducted with 26 people accompanied by two specialized care services for HIV/AIDS in Fortaleza, Ceará. Data were collected from September 2016 to February 2017, with participants' statements given during the online follow-up and submitted to thematic content analysis.

Results:

The following categories emerged: difficulties with treatment, antiretroviral dose delayed or missed, side effects, association between antiretroviral drugs and alcohol, use of dietary supplements and medicines, emotional changes, life habits, social rights, physical symptoms, and coping with and committing to with treatment.

Conclusion:

Follow-up over WhatsApp^® improved access to health professionals, by providing an open and immediate communication channel.

Keywords:
Text Messaging; Cell Phones; Communication; Nursing Care

Category	Statement
Knowledge about HIV	Is it possible to transmit HIV by kissing? (S15) What does it mean having a viral load lower from 25 thousand to 103? (S20) If I have a complete blood count done, does it say I have HIV? (S12) What about the experiment being carried out in some British universities regarding the HIV cure? (S20)
Difficulties with drug therapy	I am going to do autohemotherapy. I don’t feel good with these drugs. (S19) Doctor, it’s been 3 days since I’ve taken my medicine, it’s run out and I haven’t picked it up yet. (S21) I’ve been taking half a pill every day, until I get used to it. (S22) I’ve stopped taking my medicine. (S19)
Antiretroviral dose delayed or missed	I haven’t been taking them at prescribed hours, because I don’t always sleep at the same time every day; does that interfere in any way? (S9) Do you know what happens when I take that pill twice a day? (S14)
Side effects	The first reaction was discomfort in the morning. Then I started to take it during the day and I got dizzy. Now I’m taking them in the evening again, before I go to bed. (S20) Is it normal to feel completely indisposed after taking the medicine? I’m having headaches frequently. (S14) I get a bad taste in my mouth, a knot in the throat, an urge to throw up. I lose sleep and appetite. Some days I don’t feel like taking them. (S19) I’ve been feeling weak, unwell and having body aches. I think it’s because of the medicine. (S18) I still have the runs when I take it. (S23) I’ve been urinating more often now than before I started to take it. Is that bad? (S20)
Association between antiretroviral drugs and alcohol	Is it ok if I have a beer before I take my medicine? (S13) Can I drink alcohol? (S23)
Use of dietary supplements and medicines	Can I take vitamins without any trouble? (S18) I’d like to know if it’s ok to use a bronchodilator without a prescription. (S14) If I ever have a headache and the pain only goes away with a pill, can I take one? (S16) Do you know anything I could take to help me sleep? (S14) Doctor, could you tell me the name of some medication that would make me stop smoking? (S20)
Emotional changes	I’ve been so scared lately. I’m feeling like when I found out about HIV. (S14) I’ve been unwell, I’m worried about myself. (S8) I just feel like sleeping, and I cry all the time. (S13)
Life habits	Now, instead of eating sweets and cakes, I’ve been eating fruit salad or the actual fruit. (S14) I’ve been working out, every two days, going to work by bicycle. (S8) I have even cut down on smoking. (S3)
Social rights	Is the pension plan for HIV-positives a complicated issue today? (S18) Am I entitled to free bus tickets? (S19) Is it possible to have a declaration from the hospital so I can get the Bolsa Familia allowance? (S21)
Physical symptoms	I’ve been sick all day. I got a bellyache. (S1) I had a bout of fever, but I took a pill and I’m much better now. (S13). My only problem is warts, which don’t stop growing. (S2). I think I have the fever, I’m going to take a pill and then I’m going to have some sleep. I feel my eyes getting sore and have some pain in my shoulders and arms. (S17) I just have some whitish stains over my body. (S23)
Coping with and commitment to treatment	[...] move on like any other person, and at each appointment, I’m happy with the results, and it’s a win-win situation if I carry on with the treatment. (S10) I was afraid of the side effects, but I took heart and I’m going to take my medicine again today. (S23) Now I have medical appointments every six months. Treatment is going well and results are great. (S5) I got to read the tuberculosis exam result. There was nothing. Everything is ok. (S26) My examination result was “undetectable”. (S7)

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[1] Corresponding author: Ivana Cristina Vieira de Lima. E-mail: doutorandaivana@gmail.com