Leveraging Digital Epidemiology to enhance HIV surveillance and intervention Strategies in Urban Slums

Abstract

HIV is more easily transmitted in urban slums due to the overcrowding, not having access to medical facilities, and the challenges that come with living in poverty. Traditional ways of surveying HIV and providing interventions find it hard to handle how complex and dynamic these places are. Digital epidemiology relies on digital tools and analysis, allowing it to optimize HIV tracking and targeted steps to improve health in slums. It looks at how using social media reports, mobile apps, and location mapping can enhance the detection of HIV being transmitted from one region to another, the prediction of future outbreaks in hotspots, and the way public health response to epidemics. Researchers also look into how digital platforms help in teaching, reminding patients to stick to their treatment plans, and engaging various communities. Many problems with privacy, accurate data, and digital accessibility still stand in the way even though AI is promising. Solving these problems using ethical guidelines, better policies, and improved infrastructure will help ensure digital epidemiology brings the most benefits for HIV prevention. According to this review, using digital technologies in urban slums calls for cross-team efforts to help provide effective HIV surveillance and strategies by 2022 and beyond.