There’s an App for That: Using Geosocial Networking Apps to Access Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and other MSM at Risk for HIV

Fields, Errol L.; Long, Amanda; Dangerfield, Derek T.; Morgan, Anthony; Uzzi, Mudia; Arrington‐Sanders, Renata; Jennings, Jacky M.

doi:10.1177/0890117119865112

Cited by 29 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…There is an opportunity to leverage eHealth modalities (eg, the internet, mobile technologies, social media, video games, geospatial networking apps, and text messaging) to provide access to accurate HIV information and support its use among YBMSM [32][33][34][35][36].…”

Section: Related Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

HIV Information Acquisition and Use Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use the Internet: Mixed Methods Study

Threats¹,

Bond²

2021

J Med Internet Res

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Background HIV disproportionately affects young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) in the United States. eHealth holds potential for supporting linkage and engagement in HIV prevention and care and the delivery of HIV information to YBMSM. Objective This study aims to investigate HIV information acquisition and use among YBMSM who use the internet. Methods A web-based self-administered survey and semistructured interviews were conducted. The survey findings informed the development of the interview guide. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the survey sample, and interview data were analyzed thematically using modified grounded theory methodologies. Results Among the internet sample (N=83), the average age was 29.2 (SD 3.5) years, 41% (n=34) of participants self-reported living with HIV, 43% (n=36) were HIV-negative, and 15% (n=13) were unsure of their HIV status. Most participants (n=79, 95%) acquired HIV information through the internet while using a mobile phone. Web-based HIV information was intentionally sought from consumer health information websites (n=31, 37%), government health information websites (n=25, 30%), and social media (n=14, 17%). Most men incidentally acquired HIV information via advertisements on social media sites and geospatial dating apps (n=54, 65%), posts on social media sites from their web-based social ties (n=44, 53%), and advertisements while browsing the internet (n=40, 48%). Although the internet is the top source of HIV information, health care providers were the most preferred (n=42, 50%) and trusted (n=80, 96%) source of HIV information. HIV information was used to facilitate the use of HIV prevention and care services. The qualitative sample included YBMSM across a range of ages and at different points of engagement in HIV prevention and care. Qualitative findings included the importance of the internet as a primary source of HIV information. The internet was used because of its ease of accessibility, because of its ability to maintain anonymity while searching for sensitive information, and to mitigate intersecting stigmas in health care settings. Participants used HIV information to assess their risk for HIV and AIDS, support their skill building for HIV prevention, inform patient–doctor communication, and learn about HIV prevention and treatment options. Men expressed concerns about their diminishing access to online spaces for HIV information exchange among YBMSM because of censorship policies on social media sites and the stigmatizing framing and tone of mass media HIV-prevention advertisements encountered while using the internet. Conclusions YBMSM in this sample had high utilization of eHealth for HIV information acquisition and use but diminished access to their preferred and most trusted source of HIV information: health care providers. Future eHealth-based HIV interventions culturally tailored for YBMSM should aim to reduce intersectional stigma at the point of care and support patient–provider communication. The findings demonstrate the need for community-informed, culturally tailored HIV messaging and online spaces for informational support exchange among YBMSM.

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Section: Related Literaturementioning

confidence: 99%

HIV Information Acquisition and Use Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use the Internet: Mixed Methods Study

Threats¹,

Bond²

2021

J Med Internet Res

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“…The use of GSN apps for MSM is also high, with some rates found as many as one in three MSM having used a GSN app, 85% of users logging on with daily frequency [13] and apps like Grindr having as many as 2 million daily active users globally [1]. Due to the multifunction use of GSN apps as methods of interpersonal interactions (both social and sexual), the frequent and often daily use by MSM, and their potential to reach traditionally underserved or hard-to-reach populations, they have been identified as useful mediums for the conveyance of health information and targeted sexual health interventions [9]. This includes targeting particularly important populations like MSM who are uncertain of their current HIV status or those with low self-efficacy in STI testing [8].…”

Section: Geosocial Networking Apps and Sexual Health Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…GSN smartphone apps, (e.g., Grindr, Jack'd, Scruff, Growlr, etc.) allow MSM to connect through an online social platform to find sexual partners based on geographic proximity with these apps gaining popularity since their first emergence approximately 10 years ago [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Media, Grindr, and PrEP: Sexual Health Literacy for Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Internet Age

Goodwin

2021

Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet

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Despite continued improvements to HIV/AIDS treatment and awareness, HIV transmission rates remain high among men who have sex with men (MSM). Online consumer health information targeting high risk MSM through social media and geosocial networking (GSN) apps have shown to be successful HIV intervention strategies. This review article addresses (1) the efficacy and acceptance of delivering consumer health information about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and HIV prevention through GSN apps, (2) the impact of online and social media communities in the discussion and delivery of information about PrEP and HIV interventions, and (3) on-going and possible future research and the role of information professionals.

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“…Medical spaces should also offer a menu of services, both in tailored approaches to HIV prevention (behavioral, biomedical, both) and how it would be best to deliver said services—traditional brick and mortar approach with scheduled appointment, telehealth consultations, home visits and delivery of meds, or some combination of any of these. Moreover, embracing technology in behavioral and biomedical HIV prevention approaches in the form of apps, telemedicine, and other unique interventions is a requirement for youth-based populations [ 55 , 93 •• , 94 ]. As intergenerational differences may deter communication and uptake of HIV prevention services, it is crucial to ensure that an adequate representation of youth is present for HIV prevention navigation (TasP and PrEP), and that younger medical staff beyond the medical providers themselves are actively engaged and involved in patient care [ 95 ].…”

Section: Minding the Gaps: Tailoring And Maximizing Hiv Prevention Stmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mind the Gap: HIV Prevention Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

2020

Self Cite

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Purpose of Review Young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) suffer profound health inequities in new HIV diagnoses and clinical outcomes. While the evolution of HIV prevention options has become increasingly biomedical, inequities in access and uptake of these modalities persist. Recent Findings Studies suggest that while YBMSM display interest and acceptability of varied HIV prevention options, uptake lags due to the lingering effects of intersectional oppression from racism and sexual prejudice, HIV stigma, institutional and provider bias, and unresolved health policy barriers. Promising avenues to address these barriers have yet to be fully explored. Summary We have the tools to effectively prevent HIV transmission and acquisition among YBMSM, but we have not yet effectively implemented these tools for this priority population. To end the epidemic, we must tailor and adapt HIV prevention strategies to meet the unique intersecting needs, identities, and social contexts of YBMSM. Keywords Young Black MSM. Sexual minority youth. HIV prevention. Adolescent and young adult. Sexual minority men. LGBTQ health This article is part of the Topical Collection on The Science of Prevention

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There’s an App for That: Using Geosocial Networking Apps to Access Young Black Gay, Bisexual, and other MSM at Risk for HIV

Cited by 29 publications

References 39 publications

HIV Information Acquisition and Use Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use the Internet: Mixed Methods Study

HIV Information Acquisition and Use Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men Who Use the Internet: Mixed Methods Study

Social Media, Grindr, and PrEP: Sexual Health Literacy for Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Internet Age

Mind the Gap: HIV Prevention Among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men

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