At a glance
In Tanzania, an innovative text messaging system has transformed HIV testing by allowing healthcare workers in remote areas to quickly report results via mobile devices. This CDC initiative is improving HIV treatment timeliness and enhancing healthcare delivery.
Background
A lifeline for hard-to-reach areas
Quick and reliable test results are crucial to fighting the HIV epidemic. Tanzania launched an ambitious program in 2009 to ensure rapid and accurate HIV testing nationwide, adding over 11,000 testing sites by 2015. However, healthcare workers faced significant challenges as HIV testing services expanded beyond traditional laboratories to reach more people, especially in remote areas. Healthcare workers in distant villages could test dozens of patients daily for HIV but struggled to report results quickly and accurately. These reporting delays caused patients to fall behind in starting life-saving HIV treatment.
An innovative solution
In Tanzania, over 86% of the population has a mobile connection, and 92% of cell phone owners send text messages regularly. The Tanzanian government developed a digital health strategy to expand the use of digital technologies to improve access to health information and services. To build on this, CDC, in collaboration with the Tanzania Ministry of Health and partners, introduced an innovative solution—a short message service (SMS) that can send text messages between mobile devices.
CDC uses text messaging as a comprehensive approach to HIV treatment and prevention efforts. Text messaging can effectively overcome geographical barriers, ensuring timely notification of HIV testing results for individuals in remote or underserved areas. Swift notifications allow individuals to learn their status quickly and take necessary actions sooner, such as seeking treatment or counseling. Text messaging can also serve as reminders for medication adherence, appointments, and follow-up care. Additionally, it is a cost-effective method for delivering vital health information and facilitates personalized support through two-way communication between healthcare providers and patients.
Impact on healthcare delivery
With the SMS system in Tanzania, healthcare workers are now able to send test results via text message directly from their testing sites—ensuring that results reach providers and patients faster than ever before.
- Tanzania National Public Health Laboratory Director
This CDC initiative has transformed HIV testing and management across Tanzania. The number of enrolled testing sites skyrocketed 563%, from 355 in 2015 to over 2,000 in 2022. The SMS system improved the accuracy of data collection and significantly increased the speed at which healthcare workers submitted testing results by 64%, demonstrating an effective solution to service delivery delays and limited reach. As a result, people living with HIV could begin treatment sooner, achieve viral load suppression faster, and reduce HIV transmission in communities.
A model for global health initiatives
Tanzania has enhanced the quality of HIV testing services, making it easier and quicker to identify those in need of care and treatment and strengthening its public health infrastructure. The SMS system solution is a model for other countries to follow. Adopting real-time data systems and mobile technologies will be essential for improving testing accuracy, increasing testing uptake, accelerating return of results, and ensuring that everyone living with HIV receives necessary care and treatment as quickly as possible, ultimately reducing HIV transmission rates.
Through innovation and collaboration, CDC has demonstrated it is possible to overcome obstacles in healthcare delivery. CDC enhanced the quality of HIV testing services and brought the world one step closer to where new HIV infections are rare, and people living with HIV live long and healthy lives.