A Hybrid Health Coach Chatbot supporting HIV Treatment in Nigeria

Human-computer interaction has a long history and has recently gained new traction due to the advancements of artificial intelligence-based assistants and bots. However, the current knowledge of these technologies is still limited, especially for newer hybrid adaptive bots, which promise more flexible, human-like conversations. This study is placed within a larger study that will focus on health-related, behavioral, socio-cognitive, cognitive and effectiveness-related outcomes from the use of intelligent hybrid versus handcrafted chatbots as healthcare coaches in the context of young and adolescent HIV patients in Nigeria. In order to gain a better understanding of hybrid chatbots, their design, and implementation, in a first step in this study, research on existing chatbots and their application of health treatment was investigated by conducting a literature review of relevant academic publications. Second, the study examined how health experts and HIV patients used and perceived a hybrid chatbot acting as a health coach….