Technology Use and Preferences for Mobile Phone-Based HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Black Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Exploratory Research

Ian W Holloway; Terrell Ja Winder; Charles Herbert Lea III; Diane Tan; Donte Boyd; David Novak

doi:10.2196/mhealth.6436

Technology Use and Preferences for Mobile Phone-Based HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Black Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Exploratory Research

JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2017 Apr 13;5(4):e46. doi: 10.2196/mhealth.6436.

Authors

Ian W Holloway¹, Terrell Ja Winder², Charles Herbert Lea III³, Diane Tan⁴, Donte Boyd¹, David Novak⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Social Welfare, Luskin School of Public Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
² Department of Sociology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
³ School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.
⁴ Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States.
⁵ OLB Research Institute, Online Buddies, Inc., Cambridge, MA, United States.

Abstract

Background: Black young men who have sex with men (BYMSM) experience higher human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidence than their white and Latino counterparts.

Objective: The aim of our study was to understand BYMSM's preferences for mobile phone-based HIV prevention and treatment in order to inform culturally tailored interventions to reduce the spread of HIV and improve HIV treatment outcomes in this population.

Methods: Qualitative focus groups (N=6) with BYMSM aged 18-29 years (N=41; 46%, 19/41 HIV-positive) were conducted to elucidate their preferences for the design and delivery of mobile phone-based HIV prevention and treatment interventions. A modified grounded theory approach to data analysis was undertaken using ATLAS.ti textual analysis software.

Results: Participants preferred holistic health interventions that did not focus exclusively on HIV prevention and treatment. Issues of privacy and confidentiality were paramount. Participants preferred functionality that enables discreet connections to culturally competent health educators and treatment providers who can address the range of health and psychosocial concerns faced by BYMSM.

Conclusions: Mobile phone-based HIV prevention has the potential to increase engagement with HIV prevention and treatment resources among BYMSM. For these approaches to be successful, researchers must include BYMSM in the design and creation of these interventions.

Keywords: AIDS; African Americans; HIV; bisexuality; homosexuality; men’s health; mobile applications; young adult.

©Ian W Holloway, Terrell JA Winder, Charles Herbert Lea III, Diane Tan, Donte Boyd, David Novak. Originally published in JMIR Mhealth and Uhealth (http://mhealth.jmir.org), 13.04.2017.

Abstract

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