Motivating Men Who Have Sex with Men to Get Tested for HIV through the Internet and Mobile Phones: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) have the highest HIV prevalence in Peru, yet they are underserved by traditional preventive programs. In Peru, the Internet and mobile phones have emerged as an effective and convenient tool to reach this population.Methods and FindingsFrom October 2010 to February 2011, we conducted eight focus groups with gay identified MSM (closeted and out-of-the-closet) and with self-identified heterosexual MSM in order to identify key features and preferences to be used to tailor culturally-appropriate messages that could be delivered through Internet and mobile phones to motivate MSM to get tested for HIV. Participants reported that in order to motivate HIV testing among MSM, interventions need to be based on motivational messages that encourage participants to overcome the fear of getting tested. Messages should increase the HIV risk perception (of participants who do not consider themselves at risk) by eliciting risky situations experienced by MSM. Messages should emphasize confidentiality, respect and the professionalism of the personnel conducting the counseling and testing. A thorough explanation of the process of HIV testing and the steps to follow after receiving the results should be provided. Messages should also contain information about the venue where the test will be conducted in terms of client characteristics, location, hours of operation and personnel. Finally, stigmatizing and stereotyping messages or images about “being gay” should not be included, as they act as deterrents for getting tested.ConclusionsInterventions aimed at motivating HIV testing among MSM should include motivational messages that reduce the fear of getting tested and increase the risk perception of participants. They should also market the venue where the testing will be conducted, the professionals who will perform the tests, and the type of tests available. Stigmatizing messages or images should be avoided.

How patients navigate the diagnostic ecosystem in a fragmented health system: a qualitative study from India

“…Studies have shown that thorough explanation of the testing processes, the testing venue and knowing what needs to be done after the receipt of lab results increase the likelihood of undergoing a test, especially for stigmatized diseases [9]. If, on the contrary, patients believe that providers are withholding information, this can lead to mistrust, which can hamper the willingness to undergo tests and access care [29].…”

“…The majority of qualitative studies on diagnosis have focused on the health-seeking behavior of patients [5–9], but less so on the practicalities of the diagnostic system and the processes involved in reaching a diagnosis [10,11]. While some studies highlight different notions of risk, body, illness and healing that might influence decisions to seek a diagnosis [12], medical anthropologists such as Farmer [13] have emphasized that structural factors such as poverty and marginality determine care-seeking behavior and adherence to treatment or advice, rather than individual, rational decision making by patients.…”

Building a Conceptual Framework to Study the Effect of HIV Stigma-Reduction Intervention Strategies on HIV Test Uptake: A Scoping Review

“…For example, a study from Peru revealed that stigma reduction and increased HIV test uptake was associated with increased access to motivational messages that encouraged participants to overcome the fear of getting tested (Blas, Menacho, Alva, Cabello, & Orellana, 2013). In Nigeria, despite an entertainment-education intervention that changed some HIV stigmarelated attitudes and intentions to test for HIV, it was also noted that risk perceptions about HIV also mediated the relationship between both motivations to participate in the program and intentions to test (Lapinski & Nwulu, 2008).…”

A Mobile-Based App (MyChoices) to Increase Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

“…More than 20% of all new HIV infections in the US are among young people aged [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], and 92% of these new infections are diagnosed in YMSMmaking them one of the largest risk groups for HIV.…”

“…However, formative research suggests that online, mobile, or social media outlets are acceptable and feasible means to increase uptake of prevention services and HIV testing among MSM. [16][17][18][19][20] Informed by extensive formative research, Dr. Patrick Sullivan of Emory University (one of iTech's Principal Investigators), with app developers from Keymind, developed and tested an HIV testing promotion app for adult MSM ("HealthMindr"). [21] Our initial formative research with YMSM [22] suggested interest in an HIV testing app like HealthMindr, but the youth agreed that it had to be adapted to be more culturally and developmentally appropriate for their peers.…”