scholarly journals Interactive Transition Support for Adolescents Living with HIV using Social Media (InTSHA): Research Protocol (Preprint)

10.2196/35455 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C. Zanoni ◽  
Moherndran Archary ◽  
Thobekile Sibaya ◽  
Madeleine Goldstein ◽  
Scarlett Bergam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Research Protocol ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
Transition Support

Interactive Transition Support for Adolescents Living with HIV using Social Media (InTSHA): Research Protocol (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian C. Zanoni ◽  
Moherndran Archary ◽  
Thobekile Sibaya ◽  
Madeleine Goldstein ◽  
Scarlett Bergam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Adolescent And Young Adult ◽  
Perinatally Acquired ◽  
Living With Hiv ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Transition Support

BACKGROUND Adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV often have poor retention in care and viral suppression during the transition from pediatric to adult based care. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a mobile phone-based intervention, InTSHA: Interactive Transition Support for Adolescents Living with HIV using Social Media, among adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV as they transition from pediatric to adult care in South Africa. METHODS InTSHA uses encrypted, closed group chats delivered via WhatsApp to develop peer support and improve communication between adolescents, their caregivers, and healthcare providers. The intervention is based on formative work with adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers and builds on several existing adolescent support programs as well as the Socioecological Model for Adolescent and Young Adult Readiness to Transition (SMART). The final InTSHA intervention involves ten modules conducted weekly through moderated WhatsApp group chats with adolescents and separately with their caregivers. We will randomize 80 South African adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV who are aware of their HIV status and aged between 15 to 19 years to receive either the intervention (n=40) or standard of care (n=40). RESULTS We will measure acceptability of the intervention as primary outcome and evaluate feasibility and preliminary effectiveness for retention in care and viral suppression after completion of the intervention and at least six months after randomization. In addition, we will measure secondary outcomes evaluating the impact of the InTSHA intervention on peer support, self-esteem, depression, stigma, sexual education, connection to healthcare providers and transition readiness. CONCLUSIONS If successful, the intervention will be evaluated in a fully powered randomized controlled trial with a larger number of adolescents from urban and rural populations to further evaluate the generalizability of InTSHA. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03624413

scholarly journals Mediating Effects of Stigma and Depressive Symptoms in a Social Media–Based Intervention to Improve Long-term Quality of Life Among People Living With HIV: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial

10.2196/27897 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. e27897
Author(s):  
Yiran Li ◽  
Yan Guo ◽  
Y Alicia Hong ◽  
Chengbo Zeng ◽  
Yu Zeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Related Stigma ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background Mobile health (mHealth) interventions have been shown to effectively improve the quality of life (QOL) among people living with HIV. However, little is known about the long-term effects of mHealth interventions. Objective This study aims to explore the intervention mechanisms of a social media–based intervention, Run4Love, on the QOL of people with HIV over across a 9-month follow-up period. Methods We recruited people living with HIV who were concurrently experiencing elevated depressive symptoms from an HIV outpatient clinic in South China. A total of 300 eligible participants were randomized either to the intervention group or the control group in a 1:1 ratio after they provided informed consent and completed a baseline survey. The intervention group received a 3-month WeChat-based intervention, comprising cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) courses and physical activity promotion. The control group received a printed brochure on nutrition guidelines in addition to the usual care for HIV treatment. Neither participants nor the research staff were blinded to group assignment. All patients were followed at 3, 6, and 9 months. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms. Structural equation model (SEM) with longitudinal data was conducted to examine the sequential mediating effects of HIV-related stigma and depressive symptoms on the long-term intervention effects on participants’ QOL. Results About 91.3% (274/300), 88.3% (265/300), and 86.7% (260/300) of all participants completed follow-up surveys at 3, 6, and 9 months, respectively. Results showed that the intervention had significantly improved participants' QOL at 9 months, via complete mediating effects of reduced HIV-related stigma at 3 months and decreased depressive symptoms at 6 months. No adverse events were reported. Conclusions These findings underscore the critical roles of HIV-related stigma and depressive symptoms in an mHealth intervention with long-term effects on QOL improvements. We call for targeted mHealth interventions to improve QOL among people living with HIV, especially social media–based interventions that can address HIV-related stigma and alleviate depressive symptoms. Trial Registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR-IPR-17012606; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=21019

scholarly journals Trust in health information sources and its associations with COVID-19 disruptions to social relationships and health services among people living with HIV

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seth C. Kalichman ◽  
Bruno Shkembi ◽  
Moira O. Kalichman ◽  
Lisa A. Eaton
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Health Information ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
Medical Mistrust ◽  
Inaccurate Information ◽  
Public Health Authorities ◽  
The Government ◽  
Living With Hiv

Abstract Background SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is potentially severe for individuals with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV. Along with the direct health threats of COVID-19, there are disruptions to social relationships and health services resulting from mitigation efforts instituted by public health authorities. This study examined the relationship between trust in the government and trust in COVID-19 health information from the US CDC, state health departments, and social media on the experience of COVID-19 social and health services-related disruptions. Methods People living with HIV (N = 459) recruited through social media advertisements and chain referrals completed confidential surveys delivered through an online platform. Results Participants experienced high-levels of disruptions to social relationships and health services attributable to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. We also observed high-rates of inaccurate information and low-levels of trust in government and sources of COVID-19 information. Greater disruptions to social relationships were predicted by more concern about oneself and others contracting COVID-19, whereas disruptions to health services were predicted by greater concern for oneself contracting COVID-19, greater general medical mistrust, and less trust in information from the CDC. Conclusions Findings have implications for the necessity of rebuilding public trust in credible sources of health information and stepping up efforts to counter sources of inaccurate information.

scholarly journals A Social Media–Based Support Group for Youth Living With HIV in Nigeria (SMART Connections): Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Dulli ◽  
Kathleen Ridgeway ◽  
Catherine Packer ◽  
Kate R Murray ◽  
Tolulope Mumuni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hiv Knowledge ◽  
Youth Living With Hiv ◽  
Living With Hiv

BACKGROUND Youth living with HIV (YLHIV) enrolled in HIV treatment experience higher loss to follow-up, suboptimal treatment adherence, and greater HIV-related mortality compared with younger children or adults. Despite poorer health outcomes, few interventions target youth specifically. Expanding access to mobile phone technology, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in particular, has increased interest in using this technology to improve health outcomes. mHealth interventions may present innovative opportunities to improve adherence and retention among YLHIV in LMICs. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to test the effectiveness of a structured support group intervention, Social Media to promote Adherence and Retention in Treatment (SMART) Connections, delivered through a social media platform, on HIV treatment retention among YLHIV aged 15 to 24 years and on secondary outcomes of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, HIV knowledge, and social support. METHODS We conducted a parallel, unblinded randomized controlled trial. YLHIV enrolled in HIV treatment for less than 12 months were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive SMART Connections (intervention) or standard of care alone (control). We collected data at baseline and endline through structured interviews and medical record extraction. We also conducted in-depth interviews with subsets of intervention group participants. The primary outcome was retention in HIV treatment. We conducted a time-to-event analysis examining time retained in treatment from study enrollment to the date the participant was no longer classified as active-on-treatment. RESULTS A total of 349 YLHIV enrolled in the study and were randomly allocated to the intervention group (n=177) or control group (n=172). Our primary analysis included data from 324 participants at endline. The probability of being retained in treatment did not differ significantly between the 2 study arms during the study. Retention was high at endline, with 75.7% (112/163) of intervention group participants and 83.4% (126/161) of control group participants active on treatment. HIV-related knowledge was significantly better in the intervention group at endline, but no statistically significant differences were found for ART adherence or social support. Intervention group participants overwhelmingly reported that the intervention was useful, that they enjoyed taking part, and that they would recommend it to other YLHIV. CONCLUSIONS Our findings of improved HIV knowledge and high acceptability are encouraging, despite a lack of measurable effect on retention. Retention was greater than anticipated in both groups, likely a result of external efforts that began partway through the study. Qualitative data indicate that the SMART Connections intervention may have contributed to retention, adherence, and social support in ways that were not captured quantitatively. Web-based delivery of support group interventions can permit people to access information and other group members privately, when convenient, and without travel. Such digital health interventions may help fill critical gaps in services available for YLHIV. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03516318; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03516318

scholarly journals The Association between Use of Online Social Networks to Find Sex Partners and Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnosis among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women Living with HIV

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 232595821986732
Author(s):  
Parya Saberi ◽  
Torsten B. Neilands ◽  
Michelle A. Lally ◽  
Sybil G. Hosek ◽  
Lisa Hightow-Weidman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Anal Intercourse ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Sex Partners ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Social Media Site ◽  
Site Use ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Living With Hiv

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Adolescent Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions to examine the association between the use of social media sites to find sex partners and recent diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among 13- to 24-year-old men who have sex with men and transgender women living with HIV. We used linear regression to determine the relationship between the number of STIs and the number of social media sites used to find sex partners with each type of sex act included in the analysis. Secondary analyses substituted frequency of social media site use for number of social media sites. Among 741 participants, for every 1 social media account used to find sex partners, there was a 2.53% (95% confidence interval: 0.28-5.54) increase in STIs. This association was mediated through condomless receptive anal intercourse or condomless insertive anal intercourse but not barrierless oral intercourse. Similar but attenuated associations were found when frequency of social media site use was substituted for number of social media sites. Future research should examine innovative interventions on these social media sites with respect for its users.

scholarly journals Associations Between Social Support and Social Media Use Among Young Adult Cisgender MSM and Transgender Women Living With HIV

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 705-715
Author(s):  
Donald R. Gerke ◽  
Mary M. Step ◽  
Dennis Rünger ◽  
Jesse B. Fletcher ◽  
Ronald A. Brooks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Women Living With Hiv ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Trans Women ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Living With Hiv

Social media platforms offer the opportunity to develop online social networks. Use of these platforms has been particularly attractive to younger sexual and gender minority individuals as well as those living with HIV. This cross-sectional study examined the perceived level of social support and associations with social media use among youth and young adult cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (trans) women living with HIV and examined these associations by gender identity. The study drew from baseline data collected from 612 cisgender MSM and 162 trans women enrolling in one of 10 demonstration sites that were part of a Health Resources and Services Administration Special Projects of National Significance initiative. The individual projects were designed to evaluate the potential for social media/mobile technology–based interventions to improve retention in care and HIV health outcomes. The data used in this study came from baseline surveys completed when participants enrolled in a site between October 2016 and May 2018. Results demonstrated that a significantly greater proportion of MSM than trans women participants reported the use of social media platforms (e.g., Facebook: MSM = 86%, trans women = 62%; Instagram: MSM = 65%, trans women = 35%). Furthermore, increased social media use improved perceptions of social support only among MSM participants (direct adjusted OR = 1.49) and not trans women participants (gender identity interaction term adjusted OR = 0.64). These results revealed that MSM participants perceived greater social benefit from the use of social media platforms than trans women, which could be a result of generalized online transphobia experienced by trans women. More nuanced data on various social media platforms, that is, anonymous versus profile-based, and group differences, are needed to better understand how social media platforms can be best utilized to optimize health care outcomes among sexual and gender minority youth and young adults living with HIV.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document