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O’Kane KMK, Goldberg SY, Bouchard KN, Dawson SJ. Busting MisconSEXions: evaluation of a social media knowledge translation initiative addressing myths about sex. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1347493. [PMID: 39006551 PMCID: PMC11241140 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1347493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a critical gap in sex education such that many people lack access to evidence-based and accessible information about sexuality, putting them at risk for endorsing myths about sex and in turn having poorer sexual wellbeing. To address this gap, we developed a novel social media knowledge translation initiative-MisconSEXions-to debunk common myths about sexuality. The goal of this study was twofold. First, to examine whether exposure to MisconSEXions is effective for reducing sexuality myth endorsement. Second, to evaluate the acceptability (participants' satisfaction with the content), appropriateness (the perceived fit of the content with participants), adoption (participants' intention to engage with the initiative), and penetration (participants' perception of the content's impact on their lives) of MisconSEXions among study participants. We also examined possible group differences in our observed effects by assigned sex, gender modality, and sexual orientation. A large and diverse sample (N = 2,356) of adults completed an online survey and reported on their demographics, sexuality myth endorsement before and after exposure to MisconSEXions content, and the acceptability, appropriateness, adoption, and penetration of the MisconSEXions content. We found that participants' sexuality myth endorsement was significantly lower following exposure to MisconSEXions content, and this effect held across assigned sex, gender modality, and sexual orientation groups. Regardless of participants' assigned sex, gender modality, or sexual orientation, MisconSEXions content was reported to be both acceptable and appropriate to people's lives. Participants reported relatively low levels of adoption, such that they reported reluctance to engage with the content on social media. Additionally, participants reported mixed feelings regarding the impact of the content on their lives (i.e., penetration). Overall, the findings have implications for how sexuality social media knowledge translation initiatives can fill important gaps in providing inclusive and accessible sex education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiarah M. K. O’Kane
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Simone Y. Goldberg
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Katrina N. Bouchard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Samantha J. Dawson
- Department of Psychology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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2
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Gao X, Ding F, Wang M, Kong C. What drives older men who have sex with men in China away from AIDS information? AIDS Care 2024:1-9. [PMID: 38648522 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2343767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
A worrying phenomenon has emerged recently: more people are deliberately avoiding rather than seeking information regarding acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This is the first study to explore behaviors related to AIDS information avoidance and the potential influential factors among older men who have sex with men (MSM). We enrolled 11 older MSM from Wuhan, the largest city in central China, from January to March 2023 using a phenomenological method. This qualitative research was conducted using face-to-face semi-structured interviews. AIDS information avoidance was commonly observed among the respondents. Behaviors related to AIDS information avoidance included avoiding AIDS-related information, ignoring known AIDS information, and avoiding medical care. The main factors associated with AIDS information avoidance included information overload, high-risk sexual behaviors, over-optimism, fear of disclosure, and age. China should provide AIDS information in a manner suitable for older MSM, pay more attention to MSM over the age of 70 years, those who are not open about their sexual orientation and those who are too optimistic, and strengthen the censorship of AIDS information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Gao
- Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Nursing Department, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Information Management Science, School of Information Management, Nanjing University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei Wang
- Nursing Department, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
| | - Chan Kong
- Nursing Department, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
- Department of Geriatrics, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People's Republic of China
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3
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Warner M, Gibbs J, Blandford A. Shifting Norms and Value Conflicts: Exploring the Effects of HIV Status Disclosure Fields in Sex-Social Apps. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2024; 53:1575-1589. [PMID: 38302851 PMCID: PMC10954906 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-023-02801-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Sex-social applications used by men who have sex with men (MSM) often provide options to disclose HIV status to encourage more positive language and reduce stigma. Yet, little research has sought to understand how in-app disclosure fields impact on disclosure motivation. We interviewed MSM living with HIV and those who self-reported being HIV-negative ( N = 27 ) in the UK and applied a hierarchical model of motivation to interpret our data. We found conflicting motivations for disclosure and point to HIV status disclosure fields having shifted disclosure norms, limiting their perceived optionality. Moreover, the pairwise and location-aware nature of these apps fails to support narrative forms of disclosure, reducing motivation. We highlight an opportunity to support users in disclosing by linking apps more explicitly to the social narratives developed through public health campaigns. This could reduce the required effort to explain "the science" behind different treatment and prevention options and promote a more consistent narrative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Warner
- Computer Science Department, University College London, 169 Euston Road, London, NW1 2AE, UK.
| | - Jo Gibbs
- Mortimer Market Centre, University College London, London, UK
| | - Ann Blandford
- Computer Science Department, University College London, London, UK
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Lewis J, Melendez-Torres GJ. Prep-Tok: a queer critical discourse analysis of TikToks regarding HIV-related pre-exposure prophylaxis. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2024; 26:449-465. [PMID: 37435990 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2023.2224414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/13/2023]
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to present a public health problem, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) offers a promising preventative intervention; however, its uptake remains low, so investigating determinants of use is essential. This article applies queer critical discourse analysis to a corpus of 121 TikToks sampled via the TikTok algorithm, coded and refined into three overarching content categories: 'what makes a PrEP user?', 'what is PrEP as a drug?', and 'sexual health and HIV'. Examples from within these categories reveal four underlying discursive themes: (1) stigmatisation of HIV as a 'gay disease' with a poor prognosis; (2) stigmatisation of gay men as unsafe, high-risk and untrustworthy; (3) stigmatisation of PrEP as increasing 'unsafe' sexual practices; (4) poor healthcare and education gay men and other beneficiaries of PrEP. These themes are influenced by a broad spectrum of homophobic and heteronormative discourses available with specific examples reflecting parts of this spectrum from predominantly perpetuating to occasionally challenging. The findings report complementary evidence obtained from other media platforms yet offer a unique take while suggesting useful avenues for future public health messaging relating to PrEP which may be used to inform the next steps against HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lewis
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
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5
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Ramos SR, Johnson C, Melkus G, Kershaw T, Gwadz M, Reynolds H, Vorderstrasse A. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Education Using a Virtual Environment in Sexual-Minority Men of Color With HIV: Protocol for a Sequential, Mixed Method, Waitlist Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2022; 11:e38348. [PMID: 35579928 PMCID: PMC9157319 DOI: 10.2196/38348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is estimated that 70% of all deaths each year in the United States are due to chronic conditions. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), a chronic condition, is the leading cause of death in ethnic and racial minority males. It has been identified as the second most common cause of death in persons with HIV. By the year 2030, it is estimated that 78% of persons with HIV will be diagnosed with CVD. OBJECTIVE We propose the first technology-based virtual environment intervention to address behavioral, modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities in sexual-minority men of color with HIV. METHODS This study will be guided using social cognitive theory and the Technology Acceptance Model. A sequential, mixed method, waitlist controlled randomized control feasibility trial will be conducted. Aim 1 is to qualitatively explore perceptions of cardiovascular risk in 15 participants. Aim 2 is to conduct a waitlist controlled comparison to test if a virtual environment is feasible and acceptable for CVD prevention, based on web-based, self-assessed, behavioral, and psychosocial outcomes in 80 sexual-minority men of color with HIV. RESULTS The study was approved by the New York University Institutional Review Board in 2019, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston in 2020, and by the Yale University Institutional Review Board in February 2022. As of April 2022, aim 1 data collection is 87% completed. We expect to complete data collection for aim 1 by April 30, 2022. Recruitment for aim 2 will begin mid-May 2022. CONCLUSIONS This study will be the first online virtual environment intervention for CVD prevention in sexual-minority men of color with HIV. We anticipate that the intervention will be beneficial for CVD prevention education and building peer social supports, resulting in change or modification over time in risk behaviors for CVD. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05242952; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05242952. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/38348.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Raquel Ramos
- School of Nursing, Yale University, Orange, CT, United States
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- The Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Constance Johnson
- Cizik School of Nursing, University of Texas Houston, Houston, TX, United States
- School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Gail Melkus
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Trace Kershaw
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Marya Gwadz
- The Center for Drug Use and HIV Research, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Harmony Reynolds
- Department of Medicine, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, United States
- NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Allison Vorderstrasse
- Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, United States
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Marshall B, Salabarría-Peña Y, Johnson W, Moore L. Reaching racial/ethnic and sexual and gender minorities with HIV prevention information via social marketing. EVALUATION AND PROGRAM PLANNING 2022; 90:101982. [PMID: 34391579 DOI: 10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2021.101982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, Data to Care, Implementation, and Evaluation (PrIDE) multi-site demonstration project utilized a cluster evaluation approach and identified six funding recipients that evaluated similar media evaluation questions (Baltimore, Los Angeles County, Lousiana, Michigan, New York City, and Virginia). All of the evaluated social marketing campaigns were developed in collaboration with health department staff, external marketing firms, and community advisory boards (CAB) aiming to produce changes in PrEP outcomes by reaching racial/ethnic and sexual and gender minorities. Jurisdictions demonstrated changes in PrEP awareness, knowledge, willingness to take PrEP, and/or PrEP literacy following initiation of the campaigns. In data from four sites, PrEP awareness significantly increased from 72 % at baseline to 86 % at mid-project, and to 90 % post-campaigns. The campaigns illustrate the importance of partnerships and stakeholder engagement, audience segmentation, and intentional evaluation planning. As PrEP services mature, evaluating PrEP demand and PrEP use resulting from campaigns, will be necessary. Also, future campaigns for racial/ethnic and sexual and gender minorities should identify the best channels to reach each group based on their input, disaggregate data by priority group, and determine campaign effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wayne Johnson
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, United States
| | - Leo Moore
- Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, United States
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Escobar-Viera CG, Shensa A, Sidani J, Primack B, Marshal MP. Association Between LGB Sexual Orientation and Depression Mediated by Negative Social Media Experiences: National Survey Study of US Young Adults. JMIR Ment Health 2020; 7:e23520. [PMID: 33270041 PMCID: PMC7746493 DOI: 10.2196/23520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) persons are disproportionately affected by depression and have high social media use rates. Negative social media experiences may modify depressive symptoms among LGB persons. We sought to assess the potential influence of negative social media experiences on the association between LGB orientation and depression. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the potential influence of negative social media experiences on the association between LGB orientation and depression. METHODS We performed a web-based survey of a national sample of US young adults aged 18-30 years. We assessed the respondents' LGB orientation, negative social media experiences, and depression using the 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire. We used generalized structural equation modeling to assess both the direct and indirect effects (via negative social media experiences) of LGB orientation on depression while controlling for relevant demographic and personal characteristics. RESULTS We found a conditional indirect effect (ab path) of LGB orientation on depressive symptoms via negative social media experience (a: observed coefficient 0.229; P<.001; bias-corrected bootstrapped 95% CI 0.162-0.319, and b: observed coefficient 2.158; P<.001; bias-corrected bootstrapped 95% CI 1.840-2.494). The results show that among LGB respondents, for those who reported negative social media experiences in the past year, a 1 unit increase in these experiences was associated with a 0.494 unit increase in depressive symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that higher rates of depression among LGB young adults are partially explained by negative social media experiences; these results could help inform future patient/provider conversations about mental health risk and protective factors related to social media use. Reducing these experiences and increasing positive social media experiences among LGB persons may mitigate depressive symptomatology in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- César G Escobar-Viera
- Center for Research on Behavioral Health, Media, and Technology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Ariel Shensa
- Department of Physical Therapy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Jaime Sidani
- Center for Research on Behavioral Health, Media, and Technology, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Brian Primack
- College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Michael P Marshal
- Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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8
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Stuardo Ávila V, Fuentes Alburquenque M, Muñoz R, Bustamante Lobos L, Faba A, Belmar Prieto J, Casabona J. Prevalence and Risk Factors for HIV Infection in a Population of Homosexual, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Metropolitan Region of Chile: A Re-emerging Health Problem. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:827-838. [PMID: 30953301 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-019-02486-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
According to the most recent UNAIDS report, the number of new HIV infections has increased by 34% since 2010 in Chile, representing the largest increase in the Americas. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the metropolitan region (MR) of Santiago, Chile. Cross-sectional study of MSM living in the MR, recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Participants were tested using Human Immunodeficiency virus rapid test, and reactive cases were confirmed withELISA. Participants were interviewed using a questionnaire adapted for the Chilean population. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were then performed. All applicable ethical norms were followed in the execution of this study. The total sample consisted of 375 individuals. HIV prevalence among MSM was 17.6% overall. Among the HIV-negative men, most (71.5%) had not been tested for sexually-transmitted diseases (STIs) other than HIV in the past 12 months, and 24.1% had never been tested for HIV. Participants who had been tested for an STI other than HIV in the past 12 months had a 3.56-fold greater OR for HIV-positive status than those who had not. Conversely, having had an HIV test in the past 12 months was a protective factor against positive HIV status (OR = 0.09). The high prevalence of HIV among MSM suggests a re-emergence of the disease in Chile, and cases are specifically concentrated among young MSM. Access to sexual health care and STI testing in Chile is insufficient. Targeted prevention efforts are urgently needed as part of the Chilean national strategy to combat the spread of HIV, including community-based testing programs.
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9
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Durvasula M, Pan SW, Ong JJ, Tang W, Cao B, Liu C, Terris-Prestholt F, Tucker JD. Enhancing Public Health Messaging: Discrete-Choice Experiment Evidence on the Design of HIV Testing Messages in China. Med Decis Making 2019; 39:568-582. [PMID: 31354096 PMCID: PMC6786945 DOI: 10.1177/0272989x19859344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Introduction. While a growing literature documents the effectiveness of public health messaging on social media, our understanding of the factors that encourage individuals to engage with and share messages is limited. In the context of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China, rising incidence and low testing rates despite decades of interventions suggest the need for effective, targeted messaging to reach underserved populations. Social media platforms and sex-seeking apps present a promising avenue, as web-based strategies can take advantage of existing trust within dense social networks. Methods. We conducted an online discrete-choice experiment in January 2017 with MSM from across China. Participants were presented with 6 choice tasks, each composed of 2 messages about HIV testing, and were asked in which scenario they were more likely to share the content. Participants were given information about the source of the HIV testing message, the social media sharing platform, and the recipients with whom they would share the message. They were given the option of sharing 1 message or neither. Multinomial and mixed logit models were used to model preferences within 4 subgroups. Results. In total, 885 MSM joined the survey, completing 4387 choice tasks. The most important attribute for 3 of the 4 subgroups was social media sharing platform. Men were more willing to share messages on sex-seeking mobile applications and less willing to share materials on generic (non-MSM) social media platforms. We found that men with more active online presences were less willing to share HIV testing messages on generic social media platforms. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that sex-seeking platforms represent a targeted, efficient method of actively engaging MSM in public health interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya Durvasula
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill,
27599, USA
- Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health (SESH) Global, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Stephen W. Pan
- Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health (SESH) Global, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, 215123,
China
| | - Jason J. Ong
- Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health (SESH) Global, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E
7HT, UK
| | - Weiming Tang
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill,
27599, USA
- Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health (SESH) Global, Guangzhou, 510095, China
| | - Bolin Cao
- School of Mass Media and Communication, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Chuncheng Liu
- Department of Sociology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Fern Terris-Prestholt
- Department of Global Health and Development, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E
7HT, UK
| | - Joseph D. Tucker
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill,
27599, USA
- Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health (SESH) Global, Guangzhou, 510095, China
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1E
7HT, UK
- Dermatology Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510095, China
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10
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Wu D, Tang W, Lu H, Zhang TP, Cao B, Ong JJ, Lee A, Liu C, Huang W, Fu R, Li K, Pan SW, Zhang Y, Fu H, Wei C, Tucker JD. Leading by Example: Web-Based Sexual Health Influencers Among Men Who Have Sex With Men Have Higher HIV and Syphilis Testing Rates in China. J Med Internet Res 2019; 21:e10171. [PMID: 30664490 PMCID: PMC6360381 DOI: 10.2196/10171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The spread of healthy behaviors through social networks may be accelerated by influential individuals. Previous studies have used lay health influencers to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among internet-using men who have sex with men (MSM). However, there is a lack of understanding of the characteristics of this key subset of MSM. Objective This study aimed to examine sociodemographic characteristics, HIV and syphilis testing, and sexual behaviors of Web-based MSM sexual health influencers (SHIs) in China, defined as individuals with relatively stronger influence on spreading HIV and STI information online. Methods A Web-based survey of MSM was conducted in August 2017 as a final follow-up of a randomized controlled trial promoting HIV testing in 8 Chinese cities. Men were recruited through a gay social networking mobile phone app and were included if they were born biologically male, aged 16 years and above, ever had sex with another man, and HIV negative or with unknown HIV status. Information regarding sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, and HIV and syphilis testing was obtained. We assessed men’s Web-based sexual health influence using a standardized 6-item opinion leadership scale focused on HIV and STI information. Influencers were defined as those whose mean score ranked within the top 13% (a higher score means greater influence). We used multivariable linear and logistic regression models to measure Web-based sexual health influence’s association with HIV and syphilis testing, controlling for intervention trial effects, age, education, income, and marital status. Results Overall, 1031 men completed the survey. Most men were younger than 30 years (819/1031, 79.43%) and had at least college education (667/1031, 64.69%). Influencers were more likely to get tested for HIV (73/132, 55.3% vs 337/899, 37.5%; P<.001) and syphilis (35/132, 26.5% vs 137/899, 15.2%; P=.001) in the last 3 months compared with noninfluencers. There were no significant differences in condomless sex with male partners (26/132, 19.7% vs 203/899, 22.6%; P=.46), mean number of male sex partners (1.32 vs 1.11; P=.16) in the last 3 months, and mainly meeting male sex partners online in the last 12 months (97/132, 73.5% vs 669/899, 74.4%; P=.82) between influencers and noninfluencers. Regression analyses showed that influencers had higher odds of HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio, AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.48-3.17) and syphilis testing (AOR 1.99, 95% CI 1.28-3.10) in the last 3 months. Conclusions We identified Web-based SHIs who might be more likely to help promote healthy HIV and syphilis testing behaviors through MSM populations. Leveraging existing influencers may help improve HIV and syphilis testing among their networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wu
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health Global, Guangzhou, China.,Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Weiming Tang
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health Global, Guangzhou, China.,Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haidong Lu
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Tiange P Zhang
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL, United States
| | - Bolin Cao
- School of Media and Communication, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jason J Ong
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Monash, Australia
| | - Amy Lee
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health Global, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuncheng Liu
- Department of Sociology, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Wenting Huang
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health Global, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rong Fu
- Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health Global, Guangzhou, China
| | - Katherine Li
- Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephen W Pan
- Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ye Zhang
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health Global, Guangzhou, China.,Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Hongyun Fu
- Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, VA, United States
| | - Chongyi Wei
- Department of Social and Behavior Health Sciences, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, China.,Social Entrepreneurship to Spur Health Global, Guangzhou, China.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
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11
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“Technology enabled Health” – Insights from twitter analytics with a socio-technical perspective. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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12
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Correlates of Serosorting and Knowledge of Sexual Partner's HIV Status Among Men Who have Sex with Men in Ukraine. AIDS Behav 2018; 22:1955-1964. [PMID: 29218602 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-2002-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Ukraine has among the highest rates of newly diagnosed HIV infections in the WHO European region. Men who have sex with men (MSM) is the least studied group in the context of the HIV epidemics in Ukraine. The present paper aims to estimate the prevalence and correlates of knowledge of sexual partner's HIV status and potentially discordant anal intercourse (failure to serosort) among MSM. Data of the cross-sectional study among 8100 MSM in Ukraine in 2013 were used for this analysis. Less than half of the participants (42.5%) reported that they knew the HIV serostatus of their most recent male sexual partner, and about 13% of participants reported failure to serosort during their most recent anal sexual intercourse with a male partner. Targeted interventions can be implemented to increase knowledge about sexual partner's HIV status, both among HIV-negative and HIV-positive MSM, to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition and transmission.
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Purnomo J, Coote K, Mao L, Fan L, Gold J, Ahmad R, Zhang L. Using eHealth to engage and retain priority populations in the HIV treatment and care cascade in the Asia-Pacific region: a systematic review of literature. BMC Infect Dis 2018; 18:82. [PMID: 29454322 PMCID: PMC5816561 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-018-2972-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The exponential growth in the reach and development of new technologies over the past decade means that mobile technologies and social media play an increasingly important role in service delivery models to maximise HIV testing and access to treatment and care. This systematic review examines the impact of electronic and mobile technologies in medical care (eHealth) in the linkage to and retention of priority populations in the HIV treatment and care cascade, focussing on the Asia-Pacific region. METHODS The review was informed by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement from the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines. Both grey and published scientific literature from five different databases were searched for all original articles in English published from 2010 to 2017. Studies conducted outside the Asia-Pacific region or not including HIV priority populations were excluded. The methodological quality of studies included in the review was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. RESULTS The database search identified 7309 records. Of the 224 peer-reviewed articles identified for full text review, 16 studies from seven countries met inclusion criteria. Six cross sectional studies found evidence to support the use of eHealth, via text messages, instant messaging, social media and health promotion websites, to increase rates of HIV testing and re-testing among men who have sex with men (MSM). Evidence regarding the efficacy of eHealth interventions to improve antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence was mixed, where one randomised controlled trial (RCT) showed significant benefit of weekly phone call reminders on improving ART adherence. Three further RCTs found that biofeedback eHealth interventions that provided estimated ART plasma concentration levels, showed promising results for ART adherence. CONCLUSIONS This review found encouraging evidence about how eHealth can be used across the HIV treatment and care cascade in the Asia-Pacific region, including increasing HIV testing and re-testing in priority populations as well as ART adherence. eHealth interventions have an important role to play in the movement towards the end of AIDS, particularly to target harder-to-reach HIV priority populations, such as MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianita Purnomo
- The Albion Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, 150-154 Albion Street, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.
| | - Katherine Coote
- The Albion Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, 150-154 Albion Street, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Limin Mao
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Ling Fan
- The Albion Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, 150-154 Albion Street, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Julian Gold
- The Albion Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, 150-154 Albion Street, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia.,Centre for Neuroscience and Trauma, Blizard Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Raghib Ahmad
- The Albion Centre, South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, 150-154 Albion Street, Sydney, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Lei Zhang
- Research Center for Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China. .,Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia. .,Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. .,School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
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Cao B, Liu C, Durvasula M, Tang W, Pan S, Saffer AJ, Wei C, Tucker JD. Social Media Engagement and HIV Testing Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in China: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey. J Med Internet Res 2017; 19:e251. [PMID: 28724510 PMCID: PMC5541240 DOI: 10.2196/jmir.7251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2017] [Revised: 04/25/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many interventions find that social media engagement with health promotion materials can translate into behavioral changes. However, only a few studies have examined the ways in which specific actions on various social media platforms are correlated with health behaviors. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine the association between social media use and HIV testing behaviors among Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS In July 2016, a Web-based survey was conducted to recruit MSM in 8 Chinese cities through Blued (Blue City Holdings Ltd.), the world's largest gay mobile phone app. Data on sociodemographic variables, social media use platforms and behaviors, sexual behaviors, and HIV testing histories were collected. HIV testing-related social media use was defined as having ever engaged with HIV testing content on social media, which was further divided into observing (ie, receiving), endorsing (eg, liking and sharing), and contributing (eg, posting or commenting on HIV testing materials). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to determine the best division of HIV testing-related social media use. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the association between HIV testing-related social media use and HIV testing behaviors. RESULTS A total of 2105 individuals participated in the survey. Among them, 46.75% (984) were under the age of 24 years, 35.43% (746) had high school education or less, and 47.74% (587) had condomless sex in the last 3 months. More than half of the respondents (58.14%, 1224/2105) reported HIV testing-related social media use. Additionally, HIV testing-related social media use, especially on multifunctional platforms such as WeChat, was found to be associated with recent HIV testing (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.32, 95% CI 1.66-3.24). Contributing on social media was correlated with recent HIV testing (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.40-3.16), but neither observing (aOR 0.66, 95% CI 0.38-1.15) nor endorsing (aOR 1.29, 95% CI 0.88-1.90) were correlated. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that social media use, particularly on multifunctional platforms such as WeChat and with contributing behaviors, is correlated with HIV testing among MSM in China. Campaigns that promote active participant contribution on social media beyond passive observation and endorsement of promotional materials are needed. This study has implications for the design and implementation of social media interventions to promote HIV testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bolin Cao
- School of Media and Communication, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuncheng Liu
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Maya Durvasula
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Weiming Tang
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Stephen Pan
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China
| | - Adam J Saffer
- School of Media and Journalism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Chongyi Wei
- University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Joseph D Tucker
- University of North Carolina Project - China, Guangzhou, China
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
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Huang YC, Lin YP, Saxton GD. Give Me a Like: How HIV/AIDS Nonprofit Organizations Can Engage Their Audience on Facebook. AIDS EDUCATION AND PREVENTION : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR AIDS EDUCATION 2016; 28:539-556. [PMID: 27925489 DOI: 10.1521/aeap.2016.28.6.539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
With the rapid proliferation and adoption of social media among healthcare professionals and organizations, social media-based HIV/AIDS intervention programs have become increasingly popular. However, the question of the effectiveness of the HIV/AIDS messages disseminated on social media has received scant attention in the literature. The current study applies content analysis to examine the relationship between Facebook messaging strategies employed by 110 HIV/AIDS nonprofit organizations and audience reactions in the form of liking, commenting, and sharing behavior. The results reveal that HIV/AIDS nonprofit organizations often use informational messages as one-way communication with their audience instead of dialogic interactions. Some specific types of messages, such as medication-focused messages, engender better audience engagement; in contrast, event-related messages and call-to-action messages appear to translate into lower corresponding audience reactions. The findings provide guidance to HIV/AIDS organizations in developing effective social media communication strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chao Huang
- Department of Indigenous Languages and Communication, National Dong Hwa University, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Pin Lin
- Department of Communication, University at Buffalo, SUNY
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White Hughto JM, Pachankis JE, Eldahan AI, Keene DE. "You Can't Just Walk Down the Street and Meet Someone": The Intersection of Social-Sexual Networking Technology, Stigma, and Health Among Gay and Bisexual Men in the Small City. Am J Mens Health 2016; 11:726-736. [PMID: 27885147 PMCID: PMC5393935 DOI: 10.1177/1557988316679563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Social-sexual networking technologies have been reported to yield both psychosocial benefits and sexual risks for gay and bisexual men, yet little research has explored how technology interacts with the social-geographical environment to shape the health of gay and bisexual men in the relatively understudied environment of small cities. This article draws on 29 semistructured interviews examining the use of social-sexual networking technologies among racially diverse gay and bisexual men in two small cities. Questions probed participants' use of technology to meet sexual partners, engagement in the gay community, and the role of virtual and nonvirtual spaces in relation to health. Findings suggest that social networking technologies can help men navigate the challenges of small cities, including small and insular gay communities, lack of dedicated gay spaces, and sexual minority stigma. However, participants also describe declines in gay community visibility and cohesion, which they attribute to technology use. The article concludes by discussing the intersections of virtual and physical space in small cities as sites for the production of health and illness.
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Gabarron E, Wynn R. Use of social media for sexual health promotion: a scoping review. Glob Health Action 2016; 9:32193. [PMID: 27649758 PMCID: PMC5030258 DOI: 10.3402/gha.v9.32193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Revised: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In order to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the World Health Organization recommends educating people on sexual health. With more than 2 billion active users worldwide, online social media potentially represent powerful channels for health promotion, including sexual health. OBJECTIVE To review the scientific literature on the use of online social media for sexual health promotion. DESIGN A search was conducted of scientific and medical databases, and grey literature was also included. The selected publications were classified according to their study designs, sexual health promotion main subject, target audience age, and social media use. RESULTS Fifty-one publications were included; 4 publications presenting randomized intervention studies, 39 non-randomized intervention studies, and 8 observational studies. In 29 publications (56.9%), the main subject of the sexual health promotion was 'general' or to increase STI testing. Thirty publications (58.8%) specifically focused on youth or young people (aged 11-29 years). Fourteen publications that used social media either as unique channels for sexual health promotion interventions or as a tool supporting the sexual health promotion reported an effect on behavior (27%), and two of those studies found a reduction in the number of positive chlamydia and gonorrhea cases linked to social media intervention. Forty-four publications (86.3%) involved Facebook in some way. CONCLUSIONS Although billions of people worldwide actively use social media, we identified only 51 publications on the use of social media for promoting sexual health. About a quarter of the publications have identified promising results, and the evidence for positive effects of social media interventions for promoting sexual health is increasing. There is a need for more studies that explicitly discuss their theoretical framework, and that have strong research designs, in order to further increase the evidence base of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elia Gabarron
- Norwegian Centre for eHealth Research, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway;
| | - Rolf Wynn
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
- Division of Mental Health and Addictions, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at disproportionate risk for HIV infection globally. The past 5 years have seen considerable advances in biomedical interventions to reduce the risk of HIV infection. To be impactful in reducing HIV incidence requires the rapid and expansive scale-up of prevention. One mechanism for achieving this is technology-based tools to improve knowledge, acceptability, and coverage of interventions and services. This review provides a summary of the current gap in coverage of primary prevention services, how technology-based interventions and services can address gaps in coverage, and the current trends in the development and availability of technology-based primary prevention tools for use by MSM. Results from agent-based models of HIV epidemics of MSM suggest that 40-50 % coverage of multiple primary HIV prevention interventions and services, including biomedical interventions like preexposure prophylaxis, will be needed to reduce HIV incidence among MSM. In the USA, current levels of coverage for all interventions, except HIV testing and condom distribution, fall well short of this target. Recent findings illustrate how technology-based HIV prevention tools can be used to provide certain kinds of services at much larger scale, with marginal incremental costs. A review of mobile apps for primary HIV prevention revealed that most are designed by nonacademic, nonpublic health developers, and only a small proportion of available mobile apps specifically address MSM populations. We are unlikely to reach the required scale of HIV prevention intervention coverage for MSM unless we can leverage technologies to bring key services to broad coverage for MSM. Despite an exciting pipeline of technology-based prevention tools, there are broader challenges with funding structures and sustainability that need to be addressed to realize the full potential of this emerging public health field.
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