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Dunn Navarra AM, Gormley M, Liang E, Loughran C, Vorderstrasse A, Garcia DR, Rosenberg MG, Fletcher J, Goldsamt LA. Developing and testing a web-based platform for antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence support among adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with HIV. PEC INNOVATION 2024; 4:100263. [PMID: 38463238 PMCID: PMC10920727 DOI: 10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Objective Describe the development and testing of a web-based platform for antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence support among HIV+ adolescents and young adults (AYA) in a randomized controlled trial (RCT). Methods A seven-member multi-disciplinary team operationalized the flat, password protected, web-based platform. Manualized protocols guided the objectives and content for each of the eight web-based sessions. Team members evaluated usability and content validity. Client satisfaction and perceived ease of use was evaluated with the first ten HIV+ AYA participants. Results The web-based platform was developed, evaluated, refined, implemented and pilot tested between September 2020 to April 2022. Usability was rated as high; the evaluation of content validity showed an excellent fit between session content and objectives. HIV+ AYA participants (mean age = 24.2 years) were satisfied with the quality, type, and amount of support/education received, and found the platform easy to use, operate, and navigate. Average time spent per session was 6.5 min. Conclusion Findings support the usability, validity, acceptability, and feasibility of this web-based platform for ART adherence support among HIV+ AYA. Innovation Our research and findings are responsive to research gaps and the need for transparency in the methodological development and testing of web-based control arms for ART adherence support among HIV+ AYA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann-Margaret Dunn Navarra
- StonyBrook University, School of Nursing, 101 Nicolls Road, Health Sciences Center, Level 2, StonyBrook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Maurade Gormley
- University of Connecticut, School of Nursing, 231 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT 06269, USA
| | - Eva Liang
- New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 380 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Claire Loughran
- New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 380 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Allison Vorderstrasse
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, Elaine Marieb College of Nursing, 651 N Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01003, USA
| | - David R. Garcia
- New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Michael G. Rosenberg
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Jacobi Medical Center, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Jason Fletcher
- New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA
| | - Lloyd A. Goldsamt
- New York University, Rory Meyers College of Nursing, 433 First Avenue, New York, NY 10010, USA
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Bauermeister JA, Horvath KJ, Lin WY, Golinkoff JM, Claude KF, Dowshen N, Castillo M, Sullivan PS, Paul M, Hightow-Weidman L, Stephenson R. Enhancing routine HIV and STI testing among young men who have sex with men: primary outcomes of the get connected clinical randomized trial (ATN 139). BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1072. [PMID: 38632603 PMCID: PMC11025185 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18522-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Regular HIV and STI testing remain a cornerstone of comprehensive sexual health care. In this study, we examine the efficacy of Get Connected, a WebApp that combines test locators with personalized educational resources, in motivating young men who have sex with men (YMSM) to undergo regular HIV and STI testing. METHODS Participants were randomly placed in one of two conditions. The first condition included the full version of GC (GC-PLUS), which included content tailored to users' psychosocial characteristics (e.g., age, race/ethnicity, relationship status, HIV/STI testing history). The second condition served as our attention-control and only included the testing locator (GC-TLO) for HIV/STI testing services. Participants were recruited from three cities (Houston, Philadelphia, and Atlanta) characterized by high HIV incidence. Assessments were collected at 1, 3-, 6-, 9- and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS Both versions of GC were acceptable and efficacious in increasing routine HIV and STI testing over a 12-month period. 40% of the sample reported testing at least twice, with no main effects observed across the two intervention arms (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.69, 1.80), p =.66). Greater intervention effects were observed among YMSM who engaged more frequently with the intervention, with regional differences observed. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the need to cater to the diverse needs of YMSM through multilevel approaches. Broadly, mHealth HIV/STI testing interventions, such as Get Connected, would benefit from matching technologies to the local context to have the greatest impact. TRIAL REGISTRATION This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03132415).
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Affiliation(s)
- J A Bauermeister
- University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Room 222L, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - K J Horvath
- San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - W Y Lin
- University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Room 222L, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - J M Golinkoff
- University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Room 222L, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - K F Claude
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - N Dowshen
- University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Room 222L, 19104, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - M Castillo
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - M Paul
- Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
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Luo Q, Zhang Y, Wang W, Cui T, Li T. mHealth-Based Gamification Interventions Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the HIV Prevention and Care Continuum: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth 2024; 12:e49509. [PMID: 38623733 PMCID: PMC11034423 DOI: 10.2196/49509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background In the past few years, a burgeoning interest has emerged in applying gamification to promote desired health behaviors. However, little is known about the effectiveness of such applications in the HIV prevention and care continuum among men who have sex with men (MSM). Objective This study aims to summarize and evaluate research on the effectiveness of gamification on the HIV prevention and care continuum, including HIV-testing promotion; condomless anal sex (CAS) reduction; and uptake of and adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods We comprehensively searched PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Journal of Medical Internet Research and its sister journals for studies published in English and Chinese from inception to January 2024. Eligible studies were included when they used gamified interventions with an active or inactive control group and assessed at least one of the following outcomes: HIV testing; CAS; and uptake of and adherence to PrEP, PEP, and ART. During the meta-analysis, a random-effects model was applied. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality and risk of bias of each included study. Results The systematic review identified 26 studies, including 10 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The results indicated that gamified digital interventions had been applied to various HIV outcomes, such as HIV testing, CAS, PrEP uptake and adherence, PEP uptake, and ART adherence. Most of the studies were conducted in the United States (n=19, 73%). The most frequently used game component was gaining points, followed by challenges. The meta-analysis showed gamification interventions could reduce the number of CAS acts at the 3-month follow-up (n=2 RCTs; incidence rate ratio 0.62, 95% CI 0.44-0.88). The meta-analysis also suggested an effective but nonstatistically significant effect of PrEP adherence at the 3-month follow-up (n=3 RCTs; risk ratio 1.16, 95% CI 0.96-1.38) and 6-month follow-up (n=4 RCTs; risk ratio 1.28, 95% CI 0.89-1.84). Only 1 pilot RCT was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a gamified app in promoting HIV testing and PrEP uptake. No RCT was conducted to evaluate the effect of the gamified digital intervention on PEP uptake and adherence, and ART initiation among MSM. Conclusions Our findings suggest the short-term effect of gamified digital interventions on lowering the number of CAS acts in MSM. Further well-powered studies are still needed to evaluate the effect of the gamified digital intervention on HIV testing, PrEP uptake, PEP initiation and adherence, and ART initiation in MSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Luo
- School of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- School of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Nursing, The People's Hopstial of Laoling City, Dezhou, China
| | - Tianyu Cui
- School of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Tianying Li
- School of Nursing, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
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Clement A, Ravet M, Stanger C, Gabrielli J. Feasibility, usability, and acceptability of MobileCoach-Teen: A smartphone app-based preventative intervention for risky adolescent drinking behavior. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE AND ADDICTION TREATMENT 2024; 159:209275. [PMID: 38110119 PMCID: PMC11027171 DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2023.209275] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Older adolescence (ages 15-18) is a critical period for experimentation with substance use, especially alcohol. Adolescent drinking poses hazards to physical and mental health, amplifies risk associated with other activities typically initiated during this life stage (e.g., driving, sexual activity), and is associated with adverse outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. Existing preventative interventions are expensive and have questionable long-term efficacy. Digital interventions may represent an accessible and personalized approach to providing preventative intervention content to youth. METHODS This study recruited 29 adolescents aged 16-18 (M = 17.24, SD = 0.74) for a pilot feasibility trial of the MobileCoach-Teen (MC-Teen) smartphone app-based intervention. The study team randomized participants to receive either the alcohol intervention (MC-Teen) or attention control pseudo-intervention (MC-Fit). MC-Teen participants received 12 weeks of content adapted from a prior Swiss-based trial of a preventative alcohol intervention. Participants provided qualitative and quantitative feedback at baseline, via six biweekly surveys during and post-intervention. RESULTS Both groups rated the application as easy to download (M = 4.31, SD = 0.93; 5-point Likert). All participants completed the baseline survey in less than the estimated time of 10 min (M = 7:42, SD = 2:15) and rated the survey as easy to complete (M = 4.69, SD = 0.60; 5-point Likert). MC-Teen participants favorably assessed application user experience, message user experience, and digital working alliance with application. Qualitative themes included a desire for increased rate/amount and diversity of content, greater representation via coach options, user interface/user experience improvements, and additional features. CONCLUSION The MC-Teen intervention is feasible and acceptable based on a pilot feasibility trial with a sample of U.S. adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Clement
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, 1225 Center Drive, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.
| | - Mariah Ravet
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
| | - Catherine Stanger
- Geisel School of Medicine, Center for Technology and Behavioral Health, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, United States of America
| | - Joy Gabrielli
- Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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Choi SK, Muessig KE, Hightow-Weidman LB, Bauermeister JA. Paradata: Measuring Engagement in Digital HIV Interventions for Sexual and Gender Minorities. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2023; 20:487-501. [PMID: 37930613 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-023-00679-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The goal of this review was to examine online engagement using paradata (i.e., intervention usage metrics) as part of the reporting of online behavioral HIV prevention and care interventions' findings. We underscore the importance of these data in examining intervention engagement and effectiveness. RECENT FINDINGS We focused on studies indexed in PubMed and published between April 1, 2017, and June 30, 2023, that reported the development and testing of online behavioral interventions for HIV prevention and/or care. Of the 689 extracted citations, 19 met the study criteria and provided engagement data - only six studies tested the association between engagement and intervention outcomes. Of these, four studies found a positive association between participants' engagement and improvements in HIV-related outcomes. Increasing attention is being paid to the collection and reporting of paradata within HIV online behavioral interventions. While the current evidence suggests a dose-response relationship due to user engagement on HIV outcomes, greater efforts to systematically collect, report, and analyze paradata are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Ki Choi
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Suite 402, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kathryn E Muessig
- Institute On Digital Health and Innovation, College of Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Lisa B Hightow-Weidman
- Institute On Digital Health and Innovation, College of Nursing, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - José A Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, 418 Curie Blvd, Suite 402, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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Ronen K, Mugo C, Kaggiah A, Seeh D, Kumar M, Guthrie BL, Moreno MA, John-Stewart G, Inwani I. Facilitated WhatsApp Support Groups for Youth Living With HIV in Nairobi, Kenya: Single-Arm Pilot Intervention Study. JMIR Form Res 2023; 7:e49174. [PMID: 37955957 PMCID: PMC10682925 DOI: 10.2196/49174] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile technology can support HIV care, but studies in youth are limited. In 2014, youth receiving HIV care at several health care facilities in Nairobi, Kenya spontaneously formed peer support groups using the social media platform WhatsApp. OBJECTIVE Inspired by youth-initiated groups, we aimed to evaluate the use of WhatsApp to deliver a social support intervention to improve HIV treatment and psychosocial outcomes in youth. We developed a facilitated WhatsApp group intervention (named Vijana-SMART), which was grounded in social support theory and guided by the design recommendations of youth living with HIV. This paper evaluates the intervention's acceptability and pre-post changes in health outcomes. METHODS The intervention involved interactive WhatsApp groups facilitated by study staff for 6 months, with each group having approximately 25 members. Study staff sent weekly structured messages, and the message content was based on social support theory and encouraged unstructured peer-to-peer messaging and support. We conducted a single-arm pilot among 55 youth living with HIV aged 14-24 years recruited from a government health care facility serving a mixed-income area of Nairobi. At enrollment and follow-up, self-report questionnaires assessed acceptability; antiretroviral therapy (ART) information, motivation, and behavioral skills (IMB); depression; social support; stigma; resilience; and ART adherence. All participants received the intervention. We used generalized estimating equations (GEEs) clustered by participant to evaluate changes in scores from baseline to follow-up, and correlates of participant WhatsApp messaging. RESULTS The median participant age was 18 years, and 67% (37/55) were female. Intervention acceptability was high. All participants reported that it was helpful, and 73% (38/52) sent ≥1 WhatsApp message. Messaging levels varied considerably between participants and were higher during school holidays, earlier in the intervention period, and among youth aged ≥18 years. IMB scores increased from enrollment to follow-up (66.9% to 71.3%; P<.001). Stigma scores also increased (8.3% to 16.7%; P=.001), and resilience scores decreased (75.0% to 70.0%; P<.001). We found no significant change in ART adherence, social support, or depression. We detected a positive association between the level of messaging during the study and the resilience score, but no significant association between messaging and other outcomes. Once enrolled, it was common for participants to change their phone numbers or leave the groups and request to be added back, which may present implementation challenges at a larger scale. CONCLUSIONS Increased IMB scores following WhatsApp group participation may improve HIV outcomes. Increased stigma and decreased resilience were unintended consequences and may reflect transient effects of group sharing of challenging experiences, which should be addressed in larger randomized evaluations. WhatsApp groups present a promising and acceptable modality to deliver supportive interventions to youth living with HIV beyond the clinic, and further evaluation is warranted. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05634265); https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05634265.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keshet Ronen
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Cyrus Mugo
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anne Kaggiah
- Department of Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - David Seeh
- Department of Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Manasi Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
- New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, United States
| | - Brandon L Guthrie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Megan A Moreno
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Irene Inwani
- Department of Pediatrics, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
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Li C, Xiong Y, Maman S, Matthews DD, Fisher EB, Tang W, Huang H, Mu T, Tong X, Yu J, Yang Z, Sherer R, Hazra A, Lio J, Li L, Tucker JD, Muessig KE. An instant messaging mobile phone application for promoting HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among Chinese gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men: A mixed methods feasibility and piloting randomized controlled trial study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285036. [PMID: 37956177 PMCID: PMC10642832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mobile health (mHealth) is a promising intervention mode for HIV prevention, but little is known about its feasibility and effects in promoting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake among Chinese gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM). METHODS We evaluated an instant messaging application using a WeChat-based mini-app to promote PrEP uptake among GBMSM via a mixed-methods design that includes a 12-week, two-arm randomized controlled pilot trial and in-depth progress interviews in Guangzhou, China. Primary outcomes include the number of PrEP initiations, individual-level psychosocial variables related to PrEP initiation, and usability of the PrEP mini-app. RESULTS Between November 2020 and April 2021, 70 GBMSM were successfully enrolled and randomized into two arms at 2:1 ratio (46 to the intervention arm, 24 to the control arm). By the end of 12-week follow-up, 22 (31.4%) participants completed the initial consultation and lab tests for PrEP, and 13 (18.6%) filled their initial PrEP prescription. We observed modest but non-significant improvements in participants' intention to use PrEP, actual PrEP initiation, PrEP-related self-efficacy, stigma, and attitudes over 12 weeks when comparing the mini-app and the control arms. Qualitative interviews revealed the key barriers to PrEP uptake include anticipated stigma and discrimination in clinical settings, burden of PrEP care, and limited operating hours of the PrEP clinic. In-person clinic navigation support was highly valued. CONCLUSIONS This pilot trial of a mobile phone-based PrEP mini-app demonstrated feasibility and identified limitations in facilitating PrEP uptake among Chinese GBMSM. Future improvements may include diversifying the content presentation in engaging media formats, adding user engagement features, and providing off-line in-clinic navigation support during initial PrEP visit. More efforts are needed to understand optimal strategies to identify and implement alternative PrEP provision models especially in highly stigmatized settings with diverse needs. TRIAL REGISTRATION Trial registration: The study was prospectively registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04426656) on 11 June, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyan Li
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- Tokyo College, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan Xiong
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Suzanne Maman
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Derrick D. Matthews
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Edwin B. Fisher
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Weiming Tang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Dermatology Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haojie Huang
- Wuhan Tongxing LGBTQ Center, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tong Mu
- Qingdao Eighth People’s Hospital, Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaokai Tong
- Xi’an Polytechnic University, Xi’an, Shannxi, China
| | | | - Zeyu Yang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Renslow Sherer
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Aniruddha Hazra
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Lio
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Linghua Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Guangzhou Number Eight People’s Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Joseph D. Tucker
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Project-China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn E. Muessig
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States of America
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Skeen SJ, Tokarz S, Gasik RE, Solano CM, Smith EA, Sagoe MB, Hudson LV, Steele K, Theall KP, Clum GA. A Trauma-Informed, Geospatially Aware, Just-in-Time Adaptive mHealth Intervention to Support Effective Coping Skills Among People Living With HIV in New Orleans: Development and Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e47151. [PMID: 37874637 PMCID: PMC10630874 DOI: 10.2196/47151] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2020, Greater New Orleans, Louisiana, was home to 7048 people living with HIV-1083 per 100,000 residents, 2.85 times the US national rate. With Louisiana routinely ranked last in indexes of health equity, violent crime rates in Orleans Parish quintupling national averages, and in-care New Orleans people living with HIV surviving twice the US average of adverse childhood experiences, accessible, trauma-focused, evidence-based interventions (EBIs) for violence-affected people living with HIV are urgently needed. OBJECTIVE To meet this need, we adapted Living in the Face of Trauma, a well-established EBI tailored for people living with HIV, into NOLA GEM, a just-in-time adaptive mobile health (mHealth) intervention. This study aimed to culturally tailor and refine the NOLA GEM app and assess its acceptability; feasibility; and preliminary efficacy on care engagement, medication adherence, viral suppression, and mental well-being among in-care people living with HIV in Greater New Orleans. METHODS The development of NOLA GEM entailed identifying real-time tailoring variables via a geographic ecological momentary assessment (GEMA) study (n=49; aim 1) and place-based and user-centered tailoring, responsive to the unique cultural contexts of HIV survivorship in New Orleans, via formative interviews (n=12; aim 2). The iOS- and Android-enabled NOLA GEM app leverages twice-daily GEMA prompts to offer just-in-time, in-app recommendations for effective coping skills practice and app-delivered Living in the Face of Trauma session content. For aim 3, the pilot trial will enroll an analytic sample of 60 New Orleans people living with HIV individually randomized to parallel NOLA GEM (intervention) or GEMA-alone (control) arms at a 1:1 allocation for a 21-day period. Acceptability and feasibility will be assessed via enrollment, attrition, active daily use through paradata metrics, and prevalidated usability measures. At the postassessment time point, primary end points will be assessed via a range of well-validated, domain-specific scales. Care engagement and viral suppression will be assessed via past missed appointments and self-reported viral load at 30 and 90 days, respectively, and through well-demonstrated adherence self-efficacy measures. RESULTS Aims 1 and 2 have been achieved, NOLA GEM is in Beta, and all aim-3 methods have been reviewed and approved by the institutional review board of Tulane University. Recruitment was launched in July 2023, with a target date for follow-up assessment completion in December 2023. CONCLUSIONS By leveraging user-centered development and embracing principles that elevate the lived expertise of New Orleans people living with HIV, mHealth-adapted EBIs can reflect community wisdom on posttraumatic resilience. Sustainable adoption of the NOLA GEM app and a promising early efficacy profile will support the feasibility of a future fully powered clinical trial and potential translation to new underserved settings in service of holistic survivorship and well-being of people living with HIV. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05784714; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05784714. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/47151.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone J Skeen
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Center for Community-Engaged Artificial Intelligence, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Stephanie Tokarz
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Rayna E Gasik
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Chelsea McGettigan Solano
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Ethan A Smith
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Momi Binaifer Sagoe
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Lauryn V Hudson
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Kara Steele
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Katherine P Theall
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Gretchen A Clum
- Department of Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, United States
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Bhandari A, Burroway R. Hold the phone! A cross-national analysis of Women's education, mobile phones, and HIV infections in low- and middle-income countries, 1990-2018. Soc Sci Med 2023; 334:116217. [PMID: 37683500 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite remarkable progress in the fight against HIV, the number of new infections remains unacceptably high, epidemics continue to grow in certain communities, and therefore AIDS continues to be one of the deadliest pandemics of our times. This study analyzes the rate of new HIV infections over almost 30 years in low- and middle-income countries. Previous research identifies two critical ways to address HIV prevention in developing countries: educating women and using mobile phones to improve health literacy and access to virtual healthcare. Our study bridges these literatures by evaluating how women's education and mobile technology work together to support the goals of HIV prevention in low- and middle-income countries. Using two-way panel fixed effects regression models of HIV incidence across 76 developing countries, we find that both increasing access to women's education and increasing access to mobile phones are associated with fewer HIV infections over time. Furthermore, we discover that women's education moderates the relationship between mobile phones and HIV. More specifically, mobile phones seem to be more beneficial for HIV prevention in cases where rates of formal schooling are low. However, at higher levels of women's education, the impact of mobile phones on new HIV infections is substantially reduced. Our findings have important policy implications for Information and Communications for Development (ICT4D) programs.
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English D, Smith JC, Scott-Walker L, Lopez FG, Morris M, Reid M, Lashay C, Bridges D, McNeish D. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary HIV Care and Psychological Health Effects of iTHRIVE 365 for Black Same Gender Loving Men. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023; 93:55-63. [PMID: 36706362 PMCID: PMC10840385 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This uncontrolled pilot study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary HIV and psychological health effects of iTHRIVE 365, a multicomponent intervention designed by and for Black same gender loving men (SGLM) to promote: health knowledge and motivation, Black SGLM social support, affirming health care, and housing and other economic resources. DESIGN METHODS We conducted a 14-day daily diary study with 32 Black SGLM living with HIV connected to THRIVE SS in Atlanta, GA. Daily surveys assessed intervention engagement, antiretroviral medication (ART) use, depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties. App paradata (ie, process data detailing app usage) assessed amount of intervention engagement via page access. Participants began receiving access to the intervention on day 7. After the 14-day daily diary period, participants responded to follow-up items on the user-friendliness, usefulness, helpfulness, and whether they would recommend iTHRIVE 365 to others. Chi-square analyses examined associations between intervention engagement and ART use, and dynamic structural equation modelling assessed longitudinal associations from intervention engagement to next-day psychological health. This intervention trial is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05376397). RESULTS On average, participants engaged with iTHRIVE 365 over once every other day and accessed intervention pages 4.65 times per day. Among participants who engaged with the intervention, 78% reported it was helpful to extremely helpful, 83% reported it was moderately to extremely useful, and 88% reported it was user-friendly and they would recommend it to others. On intervention engagement days, participants had higher odds of ART use, χ 2 (1) = 4.09, P = 0.04, than intervention nonengagement days. On days after intervention engagement, participants showed non-null decreases in depressive symptoms (τ = -0.14; 95% CI : = [-0.23, -0.05]) and emotion regulation difficulties (τ = -0.16; 95% CI : = [-0.24, -0.02]). CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest iTHRIVE 365 is feasible, acceptable, and positively affects daily ART use, depressive symptoms, and emotion regulation difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin English
- Department of Urban-Global Public Health, Rutgers School of Public Health, Newark, NJ, USA
| | | | | | | | - Michael Morris
- THRIVE Social Services (THRIVE SS), Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Malcolm Reid
- THRIVE Social Services (THRIVE SS), Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Dwain Bridges
- THRIVE Social Services (THRIVE SS), Inc., Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Daniel McNeish
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
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11
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Joyce KM, Rioux C, MacKinnon AL, Katz LY, Reynolds K, Kelly LE, Klassen T, Afifi TO, Mushquash AR, Clement FM, Chartier M, Xie EB, Penner KE, Hunter S, Berard L, Tomfohr-Madsen L, Roos LE. The Building Emotional Awareness and Mental health (BEAM) program developed with a community partner for mothers of infants: protocol for a feasibility randomized controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud 2023; 9:35. [PMID: 36895006 PMCID: PMC9996593 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-023-01260-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Drastic increases in the rates of maternal depression and anxiety have been reported since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Most programs aim to improve maternal mental health or parenting skills separately, despite it being more effective to target both concurrently. The Building Emotional Awareness and Mental health (BEAM) program was developed to address this gap. BEAM is a mobile health program aiming to mitigate the impacts of pandemic stress on family well-being. Since many family agencies lack infrastructure and personnel to adequately treat maternal mental health concerns, a partnership will occur with Family Dynamics (a local family agency) to address this unmet need. The study's objective is to examine the feasibility of the BEAM program when delivered with a community partner to inform a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHODS A pilot RCT will be conducted with mothers who have depression and/or anxiety with a child 6-18 months old living in Manitoba, Canada. Mothers will be randomized to the 10 weeks of the BEAM program or a standard of care (i.e., MoodMission). Back-end App data (collected via Google Analytics and Firebase) will be used to examine feasibility, engagement, and accessibility of the BEAM program; cost-effectiveness will also be examined. Implementation elements (e.g., maternal depression [Patient Health Questionnaire-9] and anxiety [Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7]) will be piloted to estimate the effect size and variance for future sample size calculations. DISCUSSION In partnership with a local family agency, BEAM holds the potential to promote maternal-child health via a cost-effective and an easily accessible program designed to scale. Results will provide insight into the feasibility of the BEAM program and will inform future RCTs. TRIAL REGISTRATION {2A}: This trial was retrospectively registered with ClinicalTrial.gov ( NCT05398107 ) on May 31st, 2022.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M Joyce
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | | | | | - Laurence Y Katz
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Kristin Reynolds
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Lauren E Kelly
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Terry Klassen
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Tracie O Afifi
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | | | | | - Mariette Chartier
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | | | - Kailey E Penner
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Sandra Hunter
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Lindsay Berard
- Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, P314 Duff Roblin Building, 190 Dysart Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3T 2N2, Canada
| | | | - Leslie E Roos
- Departments of Psychology and Pediatrics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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12
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Houang ST, Kafka JM, Choi SK, Meanley SP, Muessig KE, Bauermeister JA, Hightow-Weidman LB. Co-occurring Epidemic Conditions Among Southern U.S. Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in an Online eHealth Intervention. AIDS Behav 2023; 27:641-650. [PMID: 35986818 PMCID: PMC9391640 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03799-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) face disproportionately higher risks for adverse sexual health outcomes compared to their non-Hispanic White counterparts. This disparity can be attributable to overlapping and intersecting risk factors at the individual and structural levels and can be understood through syndemic theory. Using longitudinal data from the HealthMPowerment trial (n = 363), six conditions related to stigma syndemics were indexed as a cumulative risk score: high alcohol use, polydrug use, depression and anxiety symptomology, and experiences of racism and sexual minority stigma. Using Poisson regression, we found a positive association between baseline risk scores and sexual risk behavior (b: 0.32, SE: 0.03, p < 0.001). Using a Generalized Estimating Equation, we also found a 0.23 decrease in the within-participant risk scores at 3-month follow-up (SE: 0.10, p < 0.020). Future work examining how care and prevention trials improve health outcomes in this population is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven T Houang
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
| | - Julie M Kafka
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Seul Ki Choi
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Steven P Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Kathryn E Muessig
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jose A Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Lisa B Hightow-Weidman
- Department of Health Behavior, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall, CB #7400, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
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13
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Wirtz AL, Logie CH, Mbuagbaw L. Addressing Health Inequities in Digital Clinical Trials: A Review of Challenges and Solutions From the Field of HIV Research. Epidemiol Rev 2022; 44:87-109. [PMID: 36124659 PMCID: PMC10362940 DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical trials are considered the gold standard for establishing efficacy of health interventions, thus determining which interventions are brought to scale in health care and public health programs. Digital clinical trials, broadly defined as trials that have partial to full integration of technology across implementation, interventions, and/or data collection, are valued for increased efficiencies as well as testing of digitally delivered interventions. Although recent reviews have described the advantages and disadvantages of and provided recommendations for improving scientific rigor in the conduct of digital clinical trials, few to none have investigated how digital clinical trials address the digital divide, whether they are equitably accessible, and if trial outcomes are potentially beneficial only to those with optimal and consistent access to technology. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), among other health conditions, disproportionately affects socially and economically marginalized populations, raising questions of whether interventions found to be efficacious in digital clinical trials and subsequently brought to scale will sufficiently and consistently reach and provide benefit to these populations. We reviewed examples from HIV research from across geographic settings to describe how digital clinical trials can either reproduce or mitigate health inequities via the design and implementation of the digital clinical trials and, ultimately, the programs that result. We discuss how digital clinical trials can be intentionally designed to prevent inequities, monitor ongoing access and utilization, and assess for differential impacts among subgroups with diverse technology access and use. These findings can be generalized to many other health fields and are practical considerations for donors, investigators, reviewers, and ethics committees engaged in digital clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Wirtz
- Correspondence to Dr. Andrea L. Wirtz, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 615 N. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205 (e-mail: )
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Sallabank G, Blackburn NA, Threats M, Pulley DV, Barry MC, LeGrand S, Harper GW, Bauermeister JA, Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig KE. Media representation, perception and stigmatisation of race, sexuality and HIV among young black gay and bisexual men. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2022; 24:1729-1743. [PMID: 34895082 PMCID: PMC9188628 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2021.2008506] [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: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Young Black gay and bisexual men who have sex with men experience stigma related to race, gender expression, sexuality and HIV status. Stigma impacts access to HIV care and prevention as well as interactions with healthcare providers. The amplification of stigma through popular media is under-researched in the health sciences. HealthMpowerment is a mobile phone optimised intervention to reduce sexual risk and support community-building for young Black gay and bisexual men (age 18-30). We analysed Forum conversations from 48 participants, 45.8% living with HIV. Of 322 stigma-relevant conversations, 18.9% referenced the media (e.g. television, news, social media) as a source of stigma. Forum conversations covered media representations of Black gay and bisexual men, media's influence on identity, and the creation of stigma by association with media representations. Cultural messages embedded in the media may accentuate stereotypes that influence perceptions of Black gay and bisexual men and disregard intersectional identities. HealthMpowerment provided a space to challenge stigmatising representations. Participants used HealthMpowerment to garner social support and celebrate positive media representations. Interventions for young Black gay and bisexual men should consider the influential role of media and include spaces for participants to process and address stigma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory Sallabank
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Natalie A. Blackburn
- Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities, University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Megan Threats
- Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Information Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deren V. Pulley
- Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Information Science, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Megan C. Barry
- Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Sara LeGrand
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Gary W. Harper
- Health Behavior and Health Education, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - José A. Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Kathryn E. Muessig
- Health Behavior, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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15
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Hightow-Weidman LB, Muessig K, Soberano Z, Rosso MT, Currie A, Adams Larsen M, Knudtson K, Vecchio A. Tough Talks Virtual Simulation HIV Disclosure Intervention for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Development and Usability Testing. JMIR Form Res 2022; 6:e38354. [PMID: 36074551 PMCID: PMC9501675 DOI: 10.2196/38354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
HIV status disclosure is an important decision with barriers specific to young men who have sex with men (YMSM), who have the highest rates of new HIV infections in the United States. Behavioral and social determinants of the difficulty to disclose can include fear of rejection, stigma, loss of financial stability, and lack of communication skills. Once able to disclose, a person may have increased access to social support and improved informed risk reduction conversations and medication adherence. Despite the known challenges and advantages of disclosure, there are few effective tools supporting this behavior.
Objective
To address this gap in disclosure interventions, the Tough Talks (TT) app, an mHealth intervention using artificial intelligence (AI)–facilitated role-playing scenarios, was developed for YMSM. This paper reports stages of development of the integrated app and results of the usability testing.
Methods
Building on the successful development and testing of a stand-alone interactive dialogue feature in phases 1-3, we conducted additional formative research to further refine and enhance the disclosure scenarios and develop and situate them within the context of a comprehensive intervention app to support disclosure. We assessed the new iteration for acceptability and relevance in a usability study with 8 YMSM with HIV. Participants completed a presurvey, app modules, and a semistructured qualitative interview.
Results
TT content and activities were based on social cognitive theory and disclosure process model framework and expanded to a 4-module curriculum. The AI-facilitated scenarios used dialogue from an utterance database developed using language crowdsourced through a comic book contest. In usability testing, YMSM reported high satisfaction with TT, with 98% (31/33) of activities receiving positive ratings. Participants found the AI-facilitated scenarios and activities to be representative and relevant to their lived experiences, although they noted difficulty having nuanced disclosure conversations with the AI.
Conclusions
TT was an engaging and practical intervention for self-disclosure among YMSM with HIV. Facilitating informed disclosure decisions has the potential to impact engagement in sexual risk behaviors and HIV care. More information is needed about the ideal environment, technical assistance, and clinical support for an mHealth disclosure intervention. TT is being tested as a scalable intervention in a multisite randomized controlled trial to address outstanding questions on accessibility and effect on viral suppression.
Trial Registration
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03414372; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03414372
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa B Hightow-Weidman
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Kathryn Muessig
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Zach Soberano
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Matthew T Rosso
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | | | | | - Kelly Knudtson
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Alyssa Vecchio
- Department of Family & Community Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States
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Savai S, Kamano J, Misoi L, Wakholi P, Hasan MK, Were MC. Leveraging mHealth usage logs to inform health worker performance in a Resource-Limited setting: Case example of mUzima use for a chronic disease program in Western Kenya. PLOS DIGITAL HEALTH 2022; 1:e0000096. [PMID: 36812583 PMCID: PMC9931325 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) can be strengthened when quality information on health worker performance is readily available. With increasing adoption of mobile health (mHealth) technologies in LMICs, there is an opportunity to improve work-performance and supportive supervision of workers. The objective of this study was to evaluate usefulness of mHealth usage logs (paradata) to inform health worker performance. METHODOLOGY This study was conducted at a chronic disease program in Kenya. It involved 23 health providers serving 89 facilities and 24 community-based groups. Study participants, who already used an mHealth application (mUzima) during clinical care, were consented and equipped with an enhanced version of the application that captured usage logs. Three months of log data were used to determine work performance metrics, including: (a) number of patients seen; (b) days worked; (c) work hours; and (d) length of patient encounters. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Pearson correlation coefficient for days worked per participant as derived from logs as well as from records in the Electronic Medical Record system showed a strong positive correlation between the two data sources (r(11) = .92, p < .0005), indicating mUzima logs could be relied upon for analyses. Over the study period, only 13 (56.3%) participants used mUzima in 2,497 clinical encounters. 563 (22.5%) of encounters were entered outside of regular work hours, with five health providers working on weekends. On average, 14.5 (range 1-53) patients were seen per day by providers. CONCLUSIONS / SIGNIFICANCE mHealth-derived usage logs can reliably inform work patterns and augment supervision mechanisms made particularly challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. Derived metrics highlight variabilities in work performance between providers. Log data also highlight areas of suboptimal use, of the application, such as for retrospective data entry for an application meant for use during the patient encounter to best leverage built-in clinical decision support functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Savai
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- * E-mail: (SS); (MCV)
| | - Jemimah Kamano
- School of Medicine, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
- Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya
| | | | - Peter Wakholi
- School of Computing and Informatics Technology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Md Kamrul Hasan
- Department of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Martin C. Were
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SS); (MCV)
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Busse TS, Nitsche J, Kernebeck S, Jux C, Weitz J, Ehlers JP, Bork U. Approaches to Improvement of Digital Health Literacy (eHL) in the Context of Person-Centered Care. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19148309. [PMID: 35886158 PMCID: PMC9316109 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19148309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The skills, knowledge and resources to search for, find, understand, evaluate and apply health information is defined as health literacy (HL). If individuals want to use health information from the Internet, they need Digital Health Literacy (eHL), which in addition to HL also includes, for example, media literacy. If information cannot be found or understood by patients due to low (e)HL, patients will not have the opportunity to make informed decisions. In addition, many health apps for self-management or prevention also require (e)HL. Thus, it follows that active participation in healthcare, in terms of Person-Centered Care (PCC) is only possible through (e)HL. Currently, there is a great need to strengthen these competencies in society to achieve increased empowerment of patients and their health. However, at the same time, there is a need to train and improve competencies in the field of healthcare professionals so that they can counsel and guide patients. This article provides an overview with a focus on HL and eHL in healthcare, shows the opportunities to adapt services and describes the possible handling of patients with low (e)HL. In addition, the opportunities for patients and healthcare professionals to improve (e)HL are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Sophie Busse
- Department of Didactics and Educational Research in Health Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany; (J.N.); (S.K.); (C.J.); (J.P.E.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Julia Nitsche
- Department of Didactics and Educational Research in Health Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany; (J.N.); (S.K.); (C.J.); (J.P.E.)
| | - Sven Kernebeck
- Department of Didactics and Educational Research in Health Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany; (J.N.); (S.K.); (C.J.); (J.P.E.)
| | - Chantal Jux
- Department of Didactics and Educational Research in Health Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany; (J.N.); (S.K.); (C.J.); (J.P.E.)
| | - Jürgen Weitz
- Department of GI-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, Dresden Technical University, University Hospital Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.W.); (U.B.)
| | - Jan P. Ehlers
- Department of Didactics and Educational Research in Health Science, Faculty of Health, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany; (J.N.); (S.K.); (C.J.); (J.P.E.)
- Vicepresident for Learning and Teaching, Witten/Herdecke University, 58455 Witten, Germany
| | - Ulrich Bork
- Department of GI-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, Dresden Technical University, University Hospital Dresden, 01307 Dresden, Germany; (J.W.); (U.B.)
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Jones J, Knox J, Meanley S, Yang C, Lounsbury DW, Huang TT, Bauermeister J, Gonzalez-Hernandez G, Frye V, Grov C, Patel V, Baral SD, Sullivan PS, Schwartz SR. Explorations of the Role of Digital Technology in HIV-Related Implementation Research: Case Comparisons of Five Ending the HIV Epidemic Supplement Awards. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2022; 90:S226-S234. [PMID: 35703775 PMCID: PMC9204781 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of digital technology in HIV-related interventions and implementation strategies is increasing. Whether the use of technology is to directly improve patient outcomes (ie, part of the intervention) or as part of the strategy to implement interventions has important implications. In this article, we present 5 case studies of projects that feature the use of technology in HIV-related implementation research to identify and describe challenges specific to technology-based implementation research about study design, outcome measurement, implementing in an evolving technology landscape, and equity. METHODS For each case study, we identified the technological components, classified the components as intervention or implementation strategy, and identified implications for measuring performance and ensuring equity. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, and Sustainment framework was used to identify the research stage of each project. RESULTS Technology is being leveraged across a diverse array of implementation strategies to promote Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States. The case studies were primarily in the exploration and preparation phases of implementation, yet technology played a different role in each project- developing educational materials, mass media to recruit participants or distribute evidence-based campaigns, providing training, guiding tailoring, and implementing novel methods to democratize intervention development. DISCUSSION Technology can play multiple roles in HIV-related implementation research projects, including serving as the intervention, being leveraged within implementation strategies, or both. We identified multiple considerations across projects that should be taken into account when measuring success and planning for equitable and sustained impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeb Jones
- Department of Epidemiology, Emory University
| | - Justin Knox
- Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Irving Medical Center
| | - Steven Meanley
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
| | - Cui Yang
- Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
| | - David W Lounsbury
- Department of Epidemiology & Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
| | - Terry T Huang
- Center for Systems and Community Design, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York
| | - Jose Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
| | | | | | - Christian Grov
- Department of Community Health and Social Sciences, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York
| | - Viraj Patel
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Montefiore Health System
| | - Stefan D Baral
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health
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Bauermeister J, Choi SK, Bruehlman-Senecal E, Golinkoff J, Taboada A, Lavra J, Ramazzini L, Dillon F, Haritatos J. An Identity Affirming Web App to Help Sexual and Gender Minority Youth Cope with Minority Stress: Pilot Randomized Control Trial (Preprint). J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e39094. [PMID: 35916700 PMCID: PMC9379807 DOI: 10.2196/39094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Efficacious mental health interventions for sexual and gender minority youth have had limited reach, given their delivery as time-intensive, in-person sessions. Internet-based interventions may facilitate reach to sexual and gender minority youth; however, there is little research examining their efficacy. Objective This study aims to describe the results of a pilot randomized controlled trial of imi, a web application designed to improve mental health by supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority identity affirmation, coping self-efficacy, and coping skill practice. Methods Sexual and gender minority youth (N=270) aged 13 to 19 (mean 16.5, SD 1.5) years and living in the United States were recruited through Instagram advertisements. Approximately 78% (210/270) of the sample identified as racial or ethnic minorities. Participants were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to the full imi intervention web application (treatment; 135/270, 50%) or a resource page–only version of the imi site (control; 135/270, 50%). The imi application covered four topical areas: gender identity; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority identity; stress and coping; and internalized homophobia and transphobia. Participants explored these areas by engaging with informational resources, exercises, and peer stories at a self-guided pace. Both arms were assessed via web-based surveys at baseline and 4-week follow-up for intervention satisfaction, stress appraisals (ie, challenge, threat, and resource), coping skills (ie, instrumental support, positive reframing, and planning), and mental health symptoms among other outcomes. Main intent-to-treat analyses compared the arms at week 4, controlling for baseline values on each outcome. Results Survey retention was 90.4% (244/270) at week 4. Participants in the treatment arm reported greater satisfaction with the intervention than participants in the control arm (t241=–2.98; P=.003). The treatment arm showed significantly greater improvement in challenge appraisals (ie, belief in one’s coping abilities) than the control (Cohen d=0.26; P=.008). There were no differences between the arms for threat (d=0.10; P=.37) or resource (d=0.15; P=.14) appraisals. The treatment arm showed greater increases in coping skills than the control arm (instrumental support: d=0.24, P=.005; positive reframing: d=0.27, P=.02; planning: d=0.26, P=.02). Mental health symptoms improved across both the treatment and control arms; however, there were no differences between arms. Within the treatment arm, higher engagement with imi (≥5 sessions, >10 minutes, or >10 pages) predicted greater improvement in stress appraisals (all P values <.05). Conclusions The results provide initial evidence that asynchronous psychosocial interventions delivered via a web application to sexual and gender minority youth can support their ability to cope with minority stress. Further research is needed to examine the long-term effects of the imi application. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05061966; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05061966
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Seul Ki Choi
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Jesse Golinkoff
- Department of Family and Community Health, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Sullivan PS, Stephenson R, Hirshfield S, Mehta CC, Zahn R, Bauermeister JA, Horvath K, Chiasson MA, Gelaude D, Mullin S, Downing MJ, Olansky EJ, Wiatrek S, Rogers EQ, Rosenberg E, Siegler AJ, Mansergh G. Behavioral Efficacy of a Sexual Health Mobile App for Men Who Have Sex With Men: Randomized Controlled Trial of Mobile Messaging for Men. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e34574. [PMID: 35025755 PMCID: PMC8851328 DOI: 10.2196/34574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) face the highest burden of HIV in the United States, and there is a paucity of efficacious mobile health (mHealth) HIV prevention and care interventions tailored specifically for GBMSM. We tested a mobile app combining prevention messages and access to core prevention services for GBMSM. OBJECTIVE This study aims to measure the efficacy of the Mobile Messaging for Men (M-cubed) app and related services to increase HIV prevention and care behaviors in diverse US GBMSM. METHODS We conducted a randomized open-label study with a waitlist control group among GBMSM in 3 groups (low-risk HIV-negative group, high-risk HIV-negative group, and living-with-HIV [LWH] group) recruited online and in venues in Atlanta, Detroit, and New York City. Participants were randomly assigned to receive access to the app immediately or at 9 months after randomization. The app provided prevention messages in 6 domains of sexual health and offered ordering of at-home HIV and sexually transmitted infection test kits, receiving preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) evaluations and navigation, and service locators. Serostatus- and risk-specific prevention outcomes were evaluated at baseline, at the end of the intervention period, and at 3, 6, and 9 months after the intervention period. RESULTS In total, 1226 GBMSM were enrolled and randomized; of these 611 (49.84%) were assigned to the intervention group and 608 (99.51%) were analyzed, while 615 (50.16%) were assigned to the control group and 612 (99.51%) were analyzed. For high-risk GBMSM, allocation to the intervention arm was associated with higher odds of HIV testing during the intervention period (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.02, 95% CI 1.11-3.66) and with higher odds of using PrEP in the 3 months after the intervention period (aOR 2.41, 95% CI 1.00-5.76, P<.05). No changes in HIV prevention or care were associated with allocation to the intervention arm for the low-risk HIV-negative and LWH groups. CONCLUSIONS Access to the M-cubed app was associated with increased HIV testing and PrEP use among high-risk HIV-negative GBMSM in 3 US cities. The app could be made available through funded HIV prevention providers; additional efforts are needed to understand optimal strategies to implement the app outside of the research setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03666247; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03666247. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) RR2-10.2196/16439.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Sean Sullivan
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Rob Stephenson
- Department of Systems, Population, and Leadership, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Sabina Hirshfield
- Special Treatment and Research Program, Department of Medicine, The State University of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Cyra Christina Mehta
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, NY, United States
| | - Ryan Zahn
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Jose A Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennslyvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Keith Horvath
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Mary Ann Chiasson
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Deborah Gelaude
- HIV Research Branch, Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Shelby Mullin
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Martin J Downing
- Department of Psychology, Lehman College, City University of New York, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Evelyn Jolene Olansky
- HIV Research Branch, Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Social & Scientific Systems, Inc, DLH Holdings Company, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Sarah Wiatrek
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Erin Q Rogers
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States.,Department of Systems, Population, and Leadership, School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Eli Rosenberg
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Aaron J Siegler
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Gordon Mansergh
- HIV Research Branch, Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Were MC, Savai S, Mokaya B, Mbugua S, Ribeka N, Cholli P, Yeung A. mUzima Mobile Electronic Health Record (EHR) System: Development and Implementation at Scale. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e26381. [PMID: 34904952 PMCID: PMC8715359 DOI: 10.2196/26381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The predominant implementation paradigm of electronic health record (EHR) systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) relies on standalone system installations at facilities. This implementation approach exacerbates the digital divide, with facilities in areas with inadequate electrical and network infrastructure often left behind. Mobile health (mHealth) technologies have been implemented to extend the reach of digital health, but these systems largely add to the problem of siloed patient data, with few seamlessly interoperating with the EHR systems that are now scaled nationally in many LMICs. Robust mHealth applications that effectively extend EHR systems are needed to improve access, improve quality of care, and ameliorate the digital divide. Objective We report on the development and scaled implementation of mUzima, an mHealth extension of the most broadly deployed EHR system in LMICs (OpenMRS). Methods The “Guidelines for reporting of health interventions using mobile phones: mobile (mHealth) evidence reporting assessment (mERA)” checklist was employed to report on the mUzima application. The World Health Organization (WHO) Principles for Digital Development framework was used as a secondary reference framework. Details of mUzima’s architecture, core features, functionalities, and its implementation status are provided to highlight elements that can be adapted in other systems. Results mUzima is an open-source, highly configurable Android application with robust features including offline management, deduplication, relationship management, security, cohort management, and error resolution, among many others. mUzima allows providers with lower-end Android smartphones (version 4.4 and above) who work remotely to access historical patient data, collect new data, view media, leverage decision support, conduct store-and-forward teleconsultation, and geolocate clients. The application is supported by an active community of developers and users, with feature priorities vetted by the community. mUzima has been implemented nationally in Kenya, is widely used in Rwanda, and is gaining scale in Uganda and Mozambique. It is disease-agnostic, with current use cases in HIV, cancer, chronic disease, and COVID-19 management, among other conditions. mUzima meets all WHO’s Principles of Digital Development, and its scaled implementation success has led to its recognition as a digital global public good and its listing in the WHO Digital Health Atlas. Conclusions Greater emphasis should be placed on mHealth applications that robustly extend reach of EHR systems within resource-limited settings, as opposed to siloed mHealth applications. This is particularly important given that health information exchange infrastructure is yet to mature in many LMICs. The mUzima application demonstrates how this can be done at scale, as evidenced by its adoption across multiple countries and for numerous care domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Chieng Were
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Simon Savai
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Benard Mokaya
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Samuel Mbugua
- Institute of Biomedical Informatics, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Nyoman Ribeka
- Digital Impact Alliance, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Preetam Cholli
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Ada Yeung
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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Psihogios AM, King-Dowling S, O'Hagan B, Darabos K, Maurer L, Young J, Fleisher L, Barakat LP, Szalda D, Hill-Kayser CE, Schwartz LA. Contextual Predictors of Engagement in a Tailored mHealth Intervention for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors. Ann Behav Med 2021; 55:1220-1230. [PMID: 33674863 DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaab008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the promise of mobile health (mHealth), engagement is often too low for durable health behavior change, and little is known regarding why certain individuals abandon mHealth tools. PURPOSE Guided by a mHealth engagement framework, we evaluated contextual predictors of objective engagement with an app for adolescents and young adults (AYA) who survived cancer. METHODS One hundred and ten AYA survivors (M age = 20.5, 43% female, 30% racial/ethnic minority) were randomized to receive a disease self-management app that delivered 1-2 tailored messages/day for 16 weeks, and contained a survivorship care plan (SCP). Demographic, disease, psychosocial, and setting characteristics were examined as predictors of three objective engagement outcomes: (a) % of active app days, (b) % of messages read, and (c) viewed SCP in the app versus not. A subsample (n = 10) completed qualitative interviews to further assess engagement barriers. RESULTS Self-reported uninterrupted app access (β = -0.56, p < .001), iPhone (vs. Android) ownership (β = 0.30, p < .001), and receiving the intervention in the summer (β = -0.20, p = .01) predicted more active days. Lower depressed mood (β = -0.30, p = .047) and uninterrupted app access (β = -0.50, p < .001) predicted more messages read. Qualitatively, technical glitches and competing priorities were described as engagement barriers, whereas certain types of messages (e.g., health goal messages) were perceived as engaging. Among participants who had uninterrupted app access (n = 76), higher baseline motivation to change, better health perceptions, using the app during the summer, and iPhone ownership predicted higher engagement. CONCLUSIONS Findings demonstrate the importance of comprehensively assessing and planning for multi-level ecological determinants of mHealth engagement in future trials. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER NCT03363711.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Psihogios
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sara King-Dowling
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Bridget O'Hagan
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katie Darabos
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Jordyn Young
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Lamia P Barakat
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Dava Szalda
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Christine E Hill-Kayser
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa A Schwartz
- Division of Oncology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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23
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Psihogios AM, Rabbi M, Ahmed A, McKelvey ER, Li Y, Laurenceau JP, Hunger SP, Fleisher L, Pai AL, Schwartz LA, Murphy SA, Barakat LP. Understanding Adolescent and Young Adult 6-Mercaptopurine Adherence and mHealth Engagement During Cancer Treatment: Protocol for Ecological Momentary Assessment. JMIR Res Protoc 2021; 10:e32789. [PMID: 34677129 PMCID: PMC8571686 DOI: 10.2196/32789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer demonstrate suboptimal oral chemotherapy adherence, increasing their risk of cancer relapse. It is unclear how everyday time-varying contextual factors (eg, mood) affect their adherence, stalling the development of personalized mobile health (mHealth) interventions. Poor engagement is also a challenge across mHealth trials; an effective adherence intervention must be engaging to promote uptake. OBJECTIVE This protocol aims to determine the temporal associations between daily contextual factors and 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) adherence and explore the proximal impact of various engagement strategies on ecological momentary assessment survey completion. METHODS At the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, AYAs with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma who are prescribed prolonged maintenance chemotherapy that includes daily oral 6-MP are eligible, along with their matched caregivers. Participants will use an ecological momentary assessment app called ADAPTS (Adherence Assessments and Personalized Timely Support)-a version of an open-source app that was modified for AYAs with cancer through a user-centered process-and complete surveys in bursts over 6 months. Theory-informed engagement strategies will be microrandomized to estimate the causal effects on proximal survey completion. RESULTS With funding from the National Cancer Institute and institutional review board approval, of the proposed 30 AYA-caregiver dyads, 60% (18/30) have been enrolled; of the 18 enrolled, 15 (83%) have completed the study so far. CONCLUSIONS This protocol represents an important first step toward prescreening tailoring variables and engagement components for a just-in-time adaptive intervention designed to promote both 6-MP adherence and mHealth engagement. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/32789.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Psihogios
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mashfiqui Rabbi
- Department of Statistics, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Annisa Ahmed
- Division of Oncology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Elise R McKelvey
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Yimei Li
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - Stephen P Hunger
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Linda Fleisher
- Health Communications and Health Disparities, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ahna Lh Pai
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Lisa A Schwartz
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Susan A Murphy
- Department of Statistics, Harvard University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lamia P Barakat
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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24
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Choi SK, Golinkoff J, Michna M, Connochie D, Bauermeister J. Correlates of engagement within an online HIV prevention intervention for single young men who have sex with men: The myDEx project (Preprint). JMIR Public Health Surveill 2021; 8:e33867. [PMID: 35759333 PMCID: PMC9274398 DOI: 10.2196/33867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Objective Methods Results Conclusions Trial Registration
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Affiliation(s)
- Seul Ki Choi
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Jesse Golinkoff
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mark Michna
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Daniel Connochie
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - José Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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[Adherence to digital health interventions: definitions, methods, and open questions]. Bundesgesundheitsblatt Gesundheitsforschung Gesundheitsschutz 2021; 64:1278-1284. [PMID: 34559252 PMCID: PMC8492574 DOI: 10.1007/s00103-021-03415-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Many digital interventions rely on the participation of their users to have a positive impact. In various areas it can be observed that the use of digital interventions is often reduced or fully discontinued by the users after a short period of time. This is seen as one of the main factors that can limit the effectiveness of digital interventions. In this context, the concept of adherence to digital interventions is becoming increasingly important. Adherence to digital interventions is roughly defined as "the degree to which the user followed the program as it was designed," which can also be paraphrased as "intended use" or "use as it is designed." However, both the theoretical-conceptual and practical discussions regarding adherence to digital interventions still receive too little attention.The aim of this narrative review article is to shed more light on the concept of adherence to digital interventions and to distinguish it from related concepts. It also discusses the methods and metrics that can be used to operationalize adherence and the predictors that positively influence adherence. Finally, needs for action to better address adherence are considered critically.
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Hightow-Weidman L, Muessig KE, Egger JR, Vecchio A, Platt A. Epic Allies: A Gamified Mobile App to Improve Engagement in HIV Care and Antiretroviral Adherence among Young Men Who have Sex with Men. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:2599-2617. [PMID: 33740213 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03222-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
HIV incidence among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) is disproportionally high. Youth living with HIV demonstrate low rates of sustained virologic suppression (VS). Epic Allies, a theory-based behavioral intervention mobile app, utilizes self-management tools, gamification, and social support to improve engagement in care and antiretroviral adherence among YMSM living with HIV. A two-arm individually randomized-controlled trial enrolled 146 participants aged 16 to 24 years old to test the efficacy of Epic Allies to achieve VS. Both study arms showed improved VS at 26-weeks (62.9% intervention; 73.5% control; ARR = 0.93 (95% CI 0.73, 1.18)) and antiretroviral adherence; intervention effects were amplified in regular app users. Issues with recruitment and app usage metrics limit the ability to definitively say that the app was effective in causing behavior changes resulting in improved health outcomes. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02782130).
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Technology-Based Interventions to Increase Point-of-Care HIV Testing and Linkage to Care Among Youth in the US: A Systematic Review. AIDS Behav 2021; 25:1829-1838. [PMID: 33231846 PMCID: PMC7684145 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-03112-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
HIV testing rates remain low among youth ages 13–24 in the US, with only 55% of HIV-positive youth aware of their serostatus. We conducted a systematic review to assess the utility of technology-based interventions to increase point-of-care youth HIV testing and linkage to care. We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL for randomized controlled trials of technology-based interventions aimed at increasing point-of-care youth HIV testing, published between 2008 and 2020. All identified citations were independently screened for inclusion by two authors, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool for Randomized Controlled Trials was used to assess the quality of included studies. Three studies met all inclusion criteria. Two interventions were effective in increasing HIV testing, while one was effective at linkage to care. Technology-based interventions have the potential to increase youth HIV testing in clinical settings and facilitate linkage to care, possibly reducing undiagnosed HIV among adolescents and emerging adults.
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Threats M, Bond K. HIV Information Acquisition and Use Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use the Internet: Mixed Methods Study. J Med Internet Res 2021; 23:e22986. [PMID: 33960953 PMCID: PMC8140385 DOI: 10.2196/22986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background HIV disproportionately affects young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the United States. eHealth holds potential for supporting linkage and engagement in HIV prevention and care and the delivery of HIV information to YBMSM. Objective This study aims to investigate HIV information acquisition and use among YBMSM who use the internet. Methods A web-based self-administered survey and semistructured interviews were conducted. The survey findings informed the development of the interview guide. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the survey sample, and interview data were analyzed thematically using modified grounded theory methodologies. Results Among the internet sample (N=83), the average age was 29.2 (SD 3.5) years, 41% (n=34) of participants self-reported living with HIV, 43% (n=36) were HIV-negative, and 15% (n=13) were unsure of their HIV status. Most participants (n=79, 95%) acquired HIV information through the internet while using a mobile phone. Web-based HIV information was intentionally sought from consumer health information websites (n=31, 37%), government health information websites (n=25, 30%), and social media (n=14, 17%). Most men incidentally acquired HIV information via advertisements on social media sites and geospatial dating apps (n=54, 65%), posts on social media sites from their web-based social ties (n=44, 53%), and advertisements while browsing the internet (n=40, 48%). Although the internet is the top source of HIV information, health care providers were the most preferred (n=42, 50%) and trusted (n=80, 96%) source of HIV information. HIV information was used to facilitate the use of HIV prevention and care services. The qualitative sample included YBMSM across a range of ages and at different points of engagement in HIV prevention and care. Qualitative findings included the importance of the internet as a primary source of HIV information. The internet was used because of its ease of accessibility, because of its ability to maintain anonymity while searching for sensitive information, and to mitigate intersecting stigmas in health care settings. Participants used HIV information to assess their risk for HIV and AIDS, support their skill building for HIV prevention, inform patient–doctor communication, and learn about HIV prevention and treatment options. Men expressed concerns about their diminishing access to online spaces for HIV information exchange among YBMSM because of censorship policies on social media sites and the stigmatizing framing and tone of mass media HIV-prevention advertisements encountered while using the internet. Conclusions YBMSM in this sample had high utilization of eHealth for HIV information acquisition and use but diminished access to their preferred and most trusted source of HIV information: health care providers. Future eHealth-based HIV interventions culturally tailored for YBMSM should aim to reduce intersectional stigma at the point of care and support patient–provider communication. The findings demonstrate the need for community-informed, culturally tailored HIV messaging and online spaces for informational support exchange among YBMSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Threats
- School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States.,Yale School of Public Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Keosha Bond
- Yale School of Public Health, Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, New Haven, CT, United States.,Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, City University of New York School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Threats M, Brawner BM, Montgomery TM, Abrams J, Jemmott LS, Crouch PC, Freeborn K, Kamitani E, Enah C. A Review of Recent HIV Prevention Interventions and Future Considerations for Nursing Science. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2021; 32:373-391. [PMID: 33929980 PMCID: PMC8715511 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT As our knowledge of HIV evolved over the decades, so have the approaches taken to prevent its transmission. Public health scholars and practitioners have engaged in four key strategies for HIV prevention: behavioral-, technological-, biomedical-, and structural/community-level interventions. We reviewed recent literature in these areas to provide an overview of current advances in HIV prevention science in the United States. Building on classical approaches, current HIV prevention models leverage intimate partners, families, social media, emerging technologies, medication therapy, and policy modifications to effect change. Although much progress has been made, additional work is needed to achieve the national goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030. Nurses are in a prime position to advance HIV prevention science in partnership with transdisciplinary experts from other fields (e.g., psychology, informatics, and social work). Future considerations for nursing science include leveraging transdisciplinary collaborations and consider social and structural challenges for individual-level interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Threats
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bridgette M. Brawner
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tiffany M. Montgomery
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jasmine Abrams
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Loretta Sweet Jemmott
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pierre-Cedric Crouch
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kellie Freeborn
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emiko Kamitani
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Comfort Enah
- Megan Threats, PhD, MSLIS, is an Assistant Professor, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. Bridgette M. Brawner, PhD, MDiv, APRN, is an Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Tiffany M. Montgomery, PhD, MSHP, RNC-OB, is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Jasmine Abrams, PhD, is an Assistant Professor, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, PhD, RN, FAAN, is a Professor, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pierre-Cedric Crouch, PhD, ANP-BC, ACRN, is Director, Community Health Solutions, San Francisco, California, USA. Kellie Freeborn, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC, is a Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Global Women’s Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Emiko Kamitani, PhD, MPH, MS, RN, is a Professor by Special Appointment, Advanced Graduate Program for Future Medicine and Health Care, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. Comfort Enah, PhD, RN, FAAN, is an Associate Professor, Solomont School of Nursing, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA
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Peer Group Focused eHealth Strategies to Promote HIV Prevention, Testing, and Care Engagement. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2021; 17:557-576. [PMID: 32794071 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-020-00527-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Electronic communication platforms are increasingly used to support all steps of the HIV care cascade (an approach defined as eHealth). Most studies have employed individual-level approaches in which participants are connected with information, reminders, or a healthcare worker. Recent growth in use of social media platforms, which create digital communities, has created an opportunity to leverage virtual peer-to-peer connection to improve HIV prevention and care. In this article, we describe the current landscape of peer group eHealth interventions in the HIV field, based on a review of published literature, an online survey of unpublished ongoing work, and discussions with practitioners in the field in an in-person workshop. RECENT FINDINGS We identified 45 published articles and 12 ongoing projects meeting our inclusion criteria. Most reports were formative or observational; only three randomized evaluations of two interventions were reported. Studies indicated that use of peer group eHealth interventions is acceptable and has unique potential to influence health behaviors, but participants reported privacy concerns. Evaluations of health outcomes of peer group eHealth interventions show promising data, but more rigorous evaluations are needed. Development of group eHealth interventions presents unique technological, practical, and ethical challenges. Intervention design must consider privacy and data sovereignty concerns, and respond to rapid changes in platform use. Innovative development of open-source tools with high privacy standards is needed.
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Muessig KE, Golinkoff JM, Hightow-Weidman LB, Rochelle AE, Mulawa MI, Hirshfield S, Rosengren AL, Aryal S, Buckner N, Wilson MS, Watson DL, Houang S, Bauermeister JA. Increasing HIV Testing and Viral Suppression via Stigma Reduction in a Social Networking Mobile Health Intervention Among Black and Latinx Young Men and Transgender Women Who Have Sex With Men (HealthMpowerment): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2020; 9:e24043. [PMID: 33325838 PMCID: PMC7773515 DOI: 10.2196/24043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stigma and discrimination related to sexuality, race, ethnicity, and HIV status negatively impact HIV testing, engagement in care, and consistent viral suppression (VS) among young Black and Latinx men who have sex with men and transgender women who have sex with men (YBLMT). Few interventions address the effects of intersectional stigma among youth living with HIV and those at risk for HIV within the same virtual space. OBJECTIVE Building on the success of the HealthMpowerment (HMP) mobile health (mHealth) intervention (HMP 1.0) and with the input of a youth advisory board, HMP 2.0 is an app-based intervention that promotes user-generated content and social support to reduce intersectional stigma and improve HIV-related outcomes among YBLMT. The primary objective of this study is to test whether participants randomized to HMP 2.0 report improvement in HIV prevention and care continuum outcomes compared with an information-only control arm. We will also explore whether participant engagement, as measured by paradata (data collected as users interact with an mHealth intervention, eg, time spent using the intervention), mediates stigma- and HIV care-related outcomes. Finally, we will assess whether changes in intersectional stigma and improvements in HIV care continuum outcomes vary across different types of social networks formed within the intervention study arms. METHODS We will enroll 1050 YBLMT aged 15 to 29 years affected by HIV across the United States. Using an HIV-status stratified, randomized trial design, participants will be randomly assigned to 1 of the 3 app-based conditions (information-only app-based control arm, a researcher-created network arm of HMP 2.0, or a peer-referred network arm of HMP 2.0). Behavioral assessments will occur at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. For participants living with HIV, self-collected biomarkers (viral load) are scheduled for baseline, 6, and 12 months. For HIV-negative participants, up to 3 HIV self-testing kits will be available during the study period. RESULTS Research activities began in September 2018 and are ongoing. The University of Pennsylvania is the central institutional review board for this study (protocol #829805) with institutional reliance agreements with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. Study recruitment began on July 20, 2020. A total of 205 participants have been enrolled as of November 20, 2020. CONCLUSIONS Among a large sample of US-based YBLMT, this study will assess whether HMP 2.0, an app-based intervention designed to ameliorate stigma and its negative sequelae, can increase routine HIV testing among HIV-negative participants and consistent VS among participants living with HIV. If efficacious and brought to scale, this intervention has the potential to significantly impact the disproportionate burden of HIV among YBLMT in the United States. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03678181; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT03678181. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/24043.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Elizabeth Muessig
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Jesse M Golinkoff
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lisa B Hightow-Weidman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Aimee E Rochelle
- Behavior and Technology Lab, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Marta I Mulawa
- School of Nursing, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Sabina Hirshfield
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - A Lina Rosengren
- Division of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Subhash Aryal
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | - M Skye Wilson
- Behavior and Technology Lab, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Dovie L Watson
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Steven Houang
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - José Arturo Bauermeister
- Department of Family and Community Health, School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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Hightow-Weidman L, Muessig K, Claude K, Roberts J, Zlotorzynska M, Sanchez T. Maximizing Digital Interventions for Youth in the Midst of Covid-19: Lessons from the Adolescent Trials Network for HIV Interventions. AIDS Behav 2020; 24:2239-2243. [PMID: 32306214 PMCID: PMC7166094 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02870-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Hightow-Weidman
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
- Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
- Behavior and Technology Lab (BATLab), Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA.
| | - Kate Muessig
- Gillings School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Behavior and Technology Lab (BATLab), Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Kristina Claude
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Behavior and Technology Lab (BATLab), Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Jessica Roberts
- Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
- Behavior and Technology Lab (BATLab), Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, USA
| | | | - Travis Sanchez
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, USA
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McCoy SI, Packel L. Lessons from early stage pilot studies to maximize the impact of digital health interventions for sexual and reproductive health. Mhealth 2020; 6:22. [PMID: 32632360 PMCID: PMC7327289 DOI: 10.21037/mhealth.2020.02.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra I McCoy
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Laura Packel
- Division of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
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