Dataset Information

Putting prevention in their pockets: developing mobile phone-based HIV interventions for black men who have sex with men.

ABSTRACT: Young black men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. Rapid expansion of mobile technologies, including smartphone applications (apps), provides a unique opportunity for outreach and tailored health messaging. We collected electronic daily journals and conducted surveys and focus groups with 22 black MSM (age 18-30) at three sites in North Carolina to inform the development of a mobile phone-based intervention. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically using NVivo. Half of the sample earned under $11,000 annually. All participants owned smartphones and had unlimited texting and many had unlimited data plans. Phones were integral to participants' lives and were a primary means of Internet access. Communication was primarily through text messaging and Internet (on-line chatting, social networking sites) rather than calls. Apps were used daily for entertainment, information, productivity, and social networking. Half of participants used their phones to find sex partners; over half used phones to find health information. For an HIV-related app, participants requested user-friendly content about test site locators, sexually transmitted diseases, symptom evaluation, drug and alcohol risk, safe sex, sexuality and relationships, gay-friendly health providers, and connection to other gay/HIV-positive men. For young black MSM in this qualitative study, mobile technologies were a widely used, acceptable means for HIV intervention. Future research is needed to measure patterns and preferences of mobile technology use among broader samples.

SUBMITTER: Muessig KE

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3624691 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Putting prevention in their pockets: developing mobile phone-based HIV interventions for black men who have sex with men.

Muessig Kathryn E KE Pike Emily C EC Fowler Beth B LeGrand Sara S Parsons Jeffrey T JT Bull Sheana S SS Wilson Patrick A PA Wohl David A DA Hightow-Weidman Lisa B LB

AIDS patient care and STDs 20130401 4

Young black men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate burden of HIV. Rapid expansion of mobile technologies, including smartphone applications (apps), provides a unique opportunity for outreach and tailored health messaging. We collected electronic daily journals and conducted surveys and focus groups with 22 black MSM (age 18-30) at three sites in North Carolina to inform the development of a mobile phone-based intervention. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically using NVivo. ...[more]

PMID: 23565925

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Project description:BackgroundeHealth interventions based on risk stratification have not been extensively applied for HIV behavioral interventions among HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM).ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a mobile phone intervention based on an HIV risk prediction tool in promoting HIV testing and reducing high-risk behavior among HIV-negative MSM in China.MethodsWe performed a mobile phone-based randomized controlled clinical trial for 12 weeks. A comprehensive intervention package deployed on Jinshuju-an online survey platform-was developed and consisted of 4 components: (1) a validated HIV risk prediction tool that provides information on personalized risk reduction interventions; (2) a map of individualized HIV testing facilities based on their geographic location; (3) a QR code for free resources on HIV prevention, including condoms and HIV self-testing kits; and (4) general resources for HIV health education. MSM participants recruited from WeChat/QQ groups were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group at a 1:1 ratio. The staff sent the QR code for the comprehensive intervention package to MSM in the intervention group over WeChat and sent the QR code only for the resources on HIV health education to those in the control group. At baseline and 12-week follow-up, data on HIV-related risk behavior and HIV testing behavior were collected through the Jinshuju online survey platform.ResultsIn total, 192 MSM were recruited and assigned to the intervention or control group (n=96 each). At week 12, the total clinical trial retention rate was 87.5%. The number of male sexual partners of the MSM in the past 3 months was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group (3.51, SD 4.1 vs 6.01, SD 11.4, respectively; mean difference -2.5; 95% CI -5.12 to 0.12; P=.05); the rate of condom use with casual sexual partners was higher in the intervention group than in the control group (87%, n=66/76 vs 70%, n=54/77 respectively; odds ratio 2.81, 95% CI 1.23-6.39; P=.01). The proportion of individuals intending to undergo HIV testing after in the following 30 days was marginally higher in the intervention group than in the control group (90%, n=77/86 vs 79%, n=65/82 respectively; odds ratio 2.20, 95% CI 0.90-5.35; P=.07). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of eHealth intervention was US $131.60 on reducing 1 sexual partner and US $19.70 for a 1% increment in condom usage with casual partners.ConclusionsA comprehensive intervention based on an HIV risk prediction tool can reduce the number of male sexual partners among MSM and increase the rate of condom use with casual partners. Hence, this intervention is a very promising preventive strategy for HIV among MSM, especially in areas with a prominent HIV epidemic.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR1800017268; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=29271.

Project description:IntroductionGlobally, rates of HIV are disproportionately high among black men who have sex with men (MSM). In Canada, race, gender and sexuality have been investigated as separate factors that influence quality of care within and progression along the HIV care continuum. Traditional compartmental approaches to synthesising the HIV care continuum literature do not sufficiently account for intersectional experiences and marginalisation of Black MSM (BMSM). Moreover, there is limited research outlining access to and quality of care as specific barriers to progression along the care continuum among BMSM in Canada.ObjectivesThe primary objective of this scoping review is to assess the state of the science regarding the influence of access to and quality of HIV care continuum outcomes for BMSM in Canada.Methods and analysisWe will conduct a systematic search of published literature of quantitative and qualitative studies published on Canadian BMSM's healthcare and HIV status. The searches will be conducted through MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica Database, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, the Cochrane Library, the NHUS Economic Development Database, Global Health, APA PsychInfo, PubMed and Web of Science.Eligibility criteriaEligible studies will include data on black MSM living with or without HIV in Canada and must be published after 1983 in either English or French. Screening and data extraction will be conducted in duplicate. Any discrepancies that arise will be resolved by consulting a third author. The findings will subsequently be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required as secondary published data will be used. Our findings will be disseminated as peer-reviewed manuscripts, at conferences, student rounds and could be of interest to government health agencies and HIV/AIDS service organisations.

Project description:BackgroundRegular human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing of persons at risk is critical to HIV prevention. Infrequent HIV testing and late diagnosis of HIV infection have been observed among young black men who have sex with men (MSM) and transwomen (transgender women)-two groups overrepresented in the HIV epidemic.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to inform the development of a brief mobile phone intervention to increase HIV testing among young black MSM and transwomen by providing a tailored recommendation of an optimal HIV testing approach. We identified demographic, behavioral, psychosocial, and sociostructural factors associated with intentions to use three specific HIV testing approaches: self-testing, testing at a clinic or other provider, and couples HIV testing and counseling (CHTC).MethodsIndividuals were eligible for a Web-based survey if they were male at birth; were between the ages of 16 and 29 years; self-identified as black, African American, Caribbean black, African black, or multiethnic black; were not known to be HIV-infected; and reported insertive or receptive anal intercourse with a man or transwoman in the last 12 months. Recruitment occurred via banner advertisements placed on a range of social and sexual networking websites and apps in New York City and nationally, and via events attended by young black MSM and transwomen in New York City. Intention to test by each testing method was analyzed using logistic regression with best subset models and stepwise variable selection.ResultsAmong 169 participants, intention to use a self-test was positively associated with comfort in testing by a friend or a partner at home (Adjusted odds ratio, AOR, 2.40; 95% CI 1.09-5.30), and stigma or fear as a reason not to test (AOR 8.61; 95% CI 2.50-29.68) and negatively associated with higher social support (AOR 0.48; 95% CI 0.33-0.72) and having health insurance (AOR 0.21; 95% CI 0.09-0.54). Intention to test at a clinic or other provider was positively associated with self-efficacy for HIV testing (AOR 2.87; 95% CI 1.48-5.59) and social support (AOR 1.98; 95% CI 1.34-2.92), and negatively associated with a lifetime history of incarceration (AOR 0.37; 95% CI 0.16-0.89). Intention to test by CHTC was negatively associated with higher educational level (Some college or Associate's degree vs high school graduate or less [AOR 0.81; 95% CI 0.39-1.70]; Bachelor's degree or more vs high school graduate or less [AOR 0.28; 95% CI 0.11-0.70]).ConclusionsUnique factors were associated with intention to test using specific testing approaches. These data will be critical for the development of a tailored intervention that shows promise to increase comfort and experiences with a variety of testing approaches among young black MSM and transwomen.

Dataset Information

Putting prevention in their pockets: developing mobile phone-based HIV interventions for black men who have sex with men.

Publications

Putting prevention in their pockets: developing mobile phone-based HIV interventions for black men who have sex with men.

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