Mobile phone messaging to promote uptake of HIV testing among migrant African communities in the UK

Abstract

Background: In the UK, African communities are a focus of public health efforts to increase uptake of HIV testing. Mobile phone interventions may be an innovative way of reaching migrant groups who are known to face multiple obstacles in accessing mainstream health services. This paper presents findings from a feasibility study that used participatory approaches to investigate the use of a text messaging intervention to encourage HIV testing among migrant African communities. Methods: Participants were recruited in the city of Nottingham by a team of community researchers. They were sent two text messages per week (one on HIV and one on general health) for 12 weeks. Baseline and follow-up questionnaires were completed to measure HIV testing behaviour, HIV related knowledge and attitudes and general health. Participants' views on the intervention were solicited. Results: One hundred and sixty-nine participants were enrolled in the study. Follow up data on HIV testing was obtained for 76 participants (45%) and complete follow up measures were available from 60 participants (36%). Eight reported seeking an HIV test during the study period. There were statistically significant positive changes in attitudes about HIV, and a trend towards increased knowledge about HIV. One third of participants reported improvements in physical activity levels, diet, and stress management following the intervention. The intervention messages and structure were positively evaluated. Conclusions: Well-designed mobile phone messaging proved to be a feasible and acceptable intervention to promote both HIV testing and lifestyle behaviours among African migrant communities in the UK. When co-constructed with communities, they hold considerable promise for overcoming some of the health-related barriers faced by migrant populations in new countries. Future research and service development should focus on exploiting and evaluating this potential in relation to other key health priorities.

Modes of administering sexual health and blood-borne virus surveys in migrant populations: A scoping review

“…The risk of selection bias was also reported in the studies which utilised online surveys [ 29 , 49 , 92 , 97 ]. Online surveys have the potential to exclude respondents who lack internet access or technological proficiency, or who are wary of disclosing sensitive information online.…”

“…migrants to New Jersey were less likely to have residential telephones or may have "rapid turnover of telephone numbers" due to high residential mobility. The risk of selection bias was also reported in the studies which utilised online surveys [29,49,92,97]. Online surveys have the potential to exclude respondents who lack internet access or technological proficiency, or who are wary of disclosing sensitive information online.…”

“…Selvey, Lobo, et al [92] found that only a minority of Asian sex workers in Australia completed online versions of a survey, with most preferring pen-and-paper (although the difference may have been attributable to the recruitment methods associated with each). A study of HIV testing among African migrants living in the UK found that none of the 169 respondents completed an online follow-up survey, although 60 subsequently agreed to participate in a telephone interview; this led the authors to conclude that online data collection "was not feasible in this population group" [49]. However, online recruitment and administration was considered advantageous in studies of migrant men who have sex with men (MSM) in Britain [46,47].…”

“…However, the included studies in this scoping review broach some important considerations about the appropriateness of online SHBBV surveys in migrant settings. For instance, Selvey, Lobo et al [92] and Evans, Suggs et al [49] had limited success in using online surveys to obtain data from Asian Australian sex workers and African migrants living in the UK respectively. By contrast, Elford et al [46,47] considered SHBBV online surveys a useful tool.…”

Test@Work Texts: Mobile Phone Messaging to Increase Awareness of HIV and HIV Testing in UK Construction Employees During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Despite workplaces being a useful platform for health promotion, employers do not tend to include health testing in their health promotion offers, and when they do, this rarely, if ever, includes sexual health or HIV testing and awareness [45,46]. Only a small number of UK studies have reported on text messaging interventions aimed at raising awareness of HIV and increasing uptake of HIV testing (migrant African communities: Evans et al [47]) and only one of these was delivered through the workplace setting [48].…”