Development and Evaluation of an Online Education-Entertainment Intervention to Increase Knowledge of HIV and Uptake of HIV Testing among Colombian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM)

Abstract

Using a community-based participatory approach, we developed a film to promote HIV testing among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bogotá. Using a 5-step process to develop the intervention, we conducted 11 focus groups with MSM (n = 141) to receive community feedback at each step. To evaluate the intervention we recruited 300 young MSM to complete a baseline survey in December 2017. Between February–June 2018, 63 participants watched the film and completed a post-viewing survey, which showed the intervention was acceptable for the target population. Between August–December 2018, 48 MSM who watched the film and 47 who did not (control group) completed a follow-up survey. To obtain preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the intervention, we assessed the main effect of time (baseline vs. follow-up) and the interaction between time and group (intervention vs. control) on HIV testing uptake and intentions, and knowledge of HIV transmission dynamics and HIV-related rights. Knowledge of HIV rights increased from baseline to follow-up in the intervention group only. HIV Knowledge increased for both groups. HIV testing intentions increased significantly more for non-gay-identified men in the intervention group, but the overall effect of the intervention was not significant. Testing uptake did not change.

Characteristics and influencing factors of anticipated HIV stigma among HIV‐negative/unknown MSM in China: A regression mixture model

“…Therefore, it is critical to improve the HIV knowledge among HIV‐negative/unknown MSM. Receiving health‐promotion materials, like online education‐entertainment intervention, was one of the most beneficial sources to acquire HIV‐related knowledge (Del Rio‐Gonzalez et al., 2021; Guimaraes et al., 2019). Perceived social support was also negatively associated with moderate HIV stigma.…”

Uso de drogas sexualizadas en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres en dos ciudades de Colombia

“…En Colombia, los HSH se constituyen en una población clave de alto riesgo para el VIH (Del Río-González et al, 2021), por lo que los esfuerzos en materia de promoción y prevención se concentran significativamente en este grupo poblacional pero no tienen en cuenta de forma sistemática las asociaciones existentes con el uso de drogas sexualizadas.…”

Designing an eHealth Well-Being Program: A Participatory Design Approach

“…Understanding user needs [ 10 , 11 , 12 ] is essential. However, while application of research to understand users has been identified [ 13 , 14 ], this often does not extend beyond focus groups and surveys [ 15 , 16 ]. For example, in a review of 23 social marketing interventions aiming to minimise harm from alcohol consumption, 57% of interventions used focus groups.…”