Digital interventions supporting health and social reintegration after incarceration, including HIV-related stigma and care continuity: a scoping review protocol
4 affiliations
- 1Public Health, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- 2Department of Development Studies, University of South Africa, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- 3Department of Informatics, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
- 4Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
Abstract
Introduction: Every year, thousands of people living with HIV (PLWH) pass through correctional facilities globally, experiencing structured clinical environments that stop abruptly on return to society. Consequently, community re-entry is associated with major declines in care engagement. Intersectional stigma, the ‘double stigma’ of a criminal record layered over cultural prejudices associated with being HIV-positive, fosters profound social isolation and care avoidance. While mobile health (mHealth) tools can improve retention in care, a critical research gap persists regarding digital interventions designed to address carceral and HIV stigmas during transitional care.
Methods and analysis: This scoping review will follow the five-stage framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and further developed by Levac et al, and will incorporate guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Reporting will comply with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Sabinet, Africa-Wide Information and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2026. Grey literature, including policy documents, organisational reports, theses and conference abstracts, will also be searched. English-language peer-reviewed and grey literature evaluating digital platforms that address HIV-related stigma among incarcerated and transitioning PLWH globally will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, extract and chart data using a standardised spreadsheet and synthesise the findings descriptively. This will inform the development of a locally relevant digital tool tailored to the Johannesburg, South African context.
Ethics and dissemination: This scoping review will not require ethical approval as it will use only published literature. The findings will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed open-access journal and disseminated through conferences, stakeholder engagement and research networks involved in transitional care.
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BibTeX
@article{pule2026digital,
title = {{Digital interventions supporting health and social reintegration after incarceration, including HIV-related stigma and care continuity: a scoping review protocol}},
author = {Likhapha Monica Pule and Keatlegile Moses Eskia Mabena and Hanlie Smuts and Raikane James Seretlo and Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle},
journal = {BMJ Open},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1136/bmjopen-2026-126149},
url = {https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-126149},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Digital interventions supporting health and social reintegration after incarceration, including HIV-related stigma and care continuity: a scoping review protocol
AU - Likhapha Monica Pule
AU - Keatlegile Moses Eskia Mabena
AU - Hanlie Smuts
AU - Raikane James Seretlo
AU - Mathildah Mpata Mokgatle
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - BMJ Open
DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-126149
UR - https://bmjopen.bmj.com/lookup/doi/10.1136/bmjopen-2026-126149
AB - Introduction: Every year, thousands of people living with HIV (PLWH) pass through correctional facilities globally, experiencing structured clinical environments that stop abruptly on return to society. Consequently, community re-entry is associated with major declines in care engagement. Intersectional stigma, the ‘double stigma’ of a criminal record layered over cultural prejudices associated with being HIV-positive, fosters profound social isolation and care avoidance. While mobile health (mHealth) tools can improve retention in care, a critical research gap persists regarding digital interventions designed to address carceral and HIV stigmas during transitional care. Methods and analysis: This scoping review will follow the five-stage framework proposed by Arksey and O’Malley and further developed by Levac et al, and will incorporate guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Reporting will comply with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, Sabinet, Africa-Wide Information and Google Scholar for studies published between 2020 and 2026. Grey literature, including policy documents, organisational reports, theses and conference abstracts, will also be searched. English-language peer-reviewed and grey literature evaluating digital platforms that address HIV-related stigma among incarcerated and transitioning PLWH globally will be included. Two independent reviewers will screen studies, extract and chart data using a standardised spreadsheet and synthesise the findings descriptively. This will inform the development of a locally relevant digital tool tailored to the Johannesburg, South African context. Ethics and dissemination: This scoping review will not require ethical approval as it will use only published literature. The findings will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed open-access journal and disseminated through conferences, stakeholder engagement and research networks involved in transitional care.
SN - 2044-6055
SN - 2044-6055
ER -