Mobile App-based Care Management Training to Improve Family Caregiver Competence in Caring for Children With HIV: A Quasi-experimental Study.

Objectives: Family caregivers play a crucial role in the care of children with HIV; however, they frequently face limitations in knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Mobile application (app)-based training may offer an effective solution to enhance caregiver competence. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mobile app-based care management training in improving the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of family caregivers caring for children with HIV.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design, including pretest, posttest, and follow-up assessments, was conducted at a national referral hospital for infectious diseases in Jakarta, Indonesia. The study involved 44 respondents, divided equally into intervention and control groups (22 per group). The intervention group received mobile app-based training, while the control group received conventional caregiver education. Questionnaires assessing caregivers' knowledge, attitudes, and skills in managing children with HIV were utilized. Data were analyzed using Independent Sample T-tests and Repeated Measures ANOVA.

Results: Repeated Measures ANOVA revealed that the intervention group experienced significant improvements in knowledge, attitudes, and skills from pretest to posttest, which were maintained at the 1-month follow-up (p<0.001). In contrast, the control group did not exhibit significant changes in any of these variables (knowledge, attitudes, and skills) throughout the study period (p>0.05).

Conclusions: Mobile app-based care management training significantly enhances caregiving competencies among family caregivers of children with HIV. These findings underscore the potential of digital technology as an innovative and sustainable approach for caregiver training in various healthcare settings, supporting the long-term effectiveness of educational interventions.