A Tracker/Timer App for People Who Take PrEP - PrePIFY
Project Overview
Note: This is a work in progress that I am doing as a personal passion project.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis (AKA: PrEP) is a medication that, when taken as prescribed, may reduce someones chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. The key statement being, "taken as prescribed," which sometimes poses difficulty for people to adhere too - this is compounded when people take PrEP in an "On Demand" fashion called PrEP 2-1-1.
Having worked professionally in the space of sexual health, as a coordinator for an HIV clinical trial, and in software development I wanted to create something that could help reduce HIV nationwide.
After completing a comparison evaluation to see if there were any apps that were designed with PrEP 2-1-1 in mind, I found that they were non-existent even though many people use the PrEP this way.
I am currently in the stages of designing high fidelity wireframes and getting to a working prototype (see designs below).
Preliminary Research
Comparative Evaluation of Apps Related to PrEP
Searched iOS and Google Play
Searched web apps
Compiled into a single excel document for review
Analyze data for gaps
Review Any/All PrEP 2-1-1 Instructional Content
Reviewed anything that could be found in traditional academic research
Reviewed anything I could find on Google
Asked multiple business partners in sexual health for their resources.
Compiled into single document and searched for differences if any.
Partial Screenshot of my PrEP App Comparative Evaluation
Key Insights from Research
Impracticality of Current On Demand PrEP Timers: While there are several apps to track PrEP and notify a user when to take their medication on a daily regimen, few apps include the 2-1-1 regimen. The few apps with on-demand utility are built around the idea of scheduling your sexual encounter far ahead of time instead of in the moment or a couple of hours ahead.
Important Features Are Scattered:
Few apps incorporate tools to track sexual partners.
Few apps incorporate additional resources for safer sex practices.
Zero apps allow for a share function when it comes to medication adherence level (something of interest for people having anonymous sex).
Current Apps Feel Clinical: While this is subjective, the state of current apps in this space are clinical in nature and don't consider LGBTQIA+ influence in their designs.
Some Apps Cost $$$: For the best competitors in my evaluation, there are significant costs to obtaining a premium version or getting past the trial stage.
Lo-Fi Designs
First I created some basic wireframes on paper to start getting ideas flowing.
I then shifted over to an iPad using Mockup to get ideas out faster.
Hi-Fi Designs
I finalized a color scheme and logo based off of my LoFi designs.
Currently I am continuing to transform my ideas into higher fidelity wireframes using Sketch.
Once more screens are finalized I will begin prototyping and user testing.
Roadmap for PrEPIFY
Usability Testing: I plan to conduct my first stage of usability testing once I finalize my initial prototypes. Testing will occur among peers who use PrEP in their daily lives.
Build My Coding Skills: I am hoping to use this project as a way to learn how to code in Swift for iOS applications.
Roll Out App: Once developed I would like to promote it to the many partners I have made doing work in HIV and sexual health clinics/organizations.
Keep it Free: I do not plan to monetize this app in any way and desire to keep it ad free indefinitely. I may look for grant application opportunities to acquire sustainability funds.
HIV Positive Version: For people living with a positive HIV diagnosis, I would like to create a version of PrEPIFY that is centered around the medications used for HIV (antiretroviral therapy).