Communities and Technology: Enhancements in HIV-Prevention Research and Practice Among Adolescents and Young Adults

Acceptability and Feasibility of Using Established Geosocial and Sexual Networking Mobile Applications to Promote HIV and STD Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…Sexually active MSM are recommended to be tested for HIV annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [44]. Some research has found lower rates of HIV testing among online MSM [13,19,38,45]. Fewer than 50% of participants in the CyBER/testing sample had tested in the past 12 months; this percent is profoundly lower than the 67% of sexually active MSM who reported getting an HIV test in the past year in the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System [46].…”

“…Technology-based HIV and sexually transmitted disease (STD) interventions (including those administered via computer programs, the internet, and text messaging) have been effective in increasing knowledge of sexual health, HIV testing, HIV medication adherence, and follow-up care, and reducing sexual and substance use risk behaviors [8-19]. However, given the ever changing nature of technology, internet sites and technological devices that were once popular have been replaced with newer technology.…”

weCARE: A Social Media–Based Intervention Designed to Increase HIV Care Linkage, Retention, and Health Outcomes for Racially and Ethnically Diverse Young MSM

“…Although research is just emerging, app users tend to: have lower HIV testing rates (Sun, et al, 2015; Rendina, et al, 2014) and higher numbers of sexual partners; (Sun, et al, 2016; Phillips, et al, 2014; Young, et al, 2013; Landovitz, et al, 2013) and be more likely to report: sex with both men and women (Sun, et al, 2015; Rhodes, et al, In press), alcohol and drug use during sex (Beymer, et al, 2014; Young, et al, 2013; Landovitz, et al, 2013; Winetrobe, et al, 2014) unprotected anal intercourse (Landovitz, et al, 2013; Winetrobe, et al, 2014; Rhodes, et al, 2015), and a sexually transmitted infection (STI) history (Beymer, et al, 2014). In addition, it has been suggested that some app users are “hard to reach” because they may be less likely to: be exposed to venue-based prevention efforts (e.g., those that are in gay bars/clubs or community based), disclose same-sex behaviors and sexual risks to health providers, identify with gay-focused prevention messages, and may have challenges engaging in HIV-related care (Rhodes, et al, 2014; Bull, et al, 2014; Holloway, 2014; Holloway, et al, 2014; Noar, et al, 2012; Lewis, et al, 2011). …”

“…The frequent and active engagement with Facebook, texting, and social and sexual networking apps suggest that these are potentially powerful tools for HIV-related education, prevention, and care especially given that they are widely available, inexpensive, and instant, thus holding promise as interactive platforms for health promotion and disease prevention interventions (Bull, et al, 2014; Bull, 2014; Cole-Lewis, et al, 2010; Mbuagbaw, et al, 2015; Christopoulos, et al, 2014; Horvath, et al, 2012)…”

Psychosocial Factors and HIV Prevention for Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

“…There has been some initial study of the complacency expressed by members of younger generations who did not see the “bad old days” of gay and bisexual men dying of AIDS (e.g., Huebner, Rebchook, & Kegeles, ). Also, given the ubiquity of technology in the daily lives of all people, including and especially MSM (Bull, Walker, & Levine, ; Young, ), there remains much knowledge to be gleaned from how the use of technology to meet sexual partners influences decisions about condom use (Landovitz et al, ; Grov & Crow, ). It would be interesting to see how these and other social factors might be different in the present day than in the past, given the rapid pace of changes in how technology is associated with social interactions and sex‐seeking, especially among MSM.…”