LinkPositively: A Technology-Delivered Peer Navigation and Social Networking Intervention to Improve HIV Care

AbstractThis manuscript documents the development of an innovative individual-level peer navigation intervention “Salud y Orgullo Mexicano” (SOM) designed to increase linkage and retention to HIV care for Mexican men who have sex with men (MSM) in Chicago, Illinois. The intervention was developed via a modified intervention mapping process. Elements of two existing interventions were combined and refined with input from the Mexican MSM community, including informant interviews, an expert advisory board, and a design team. A manualized transnational intervention was developed via intervention mapping. A peer health navigation intervention “SOM” was created using intervention mapping and input from the focus community. Next steps include implementing and evaluating the intervention to determine acceptability and efficacy.

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Exploring peer navigation and support in the quality of HIV care experiences of female sex workers in the Dominican Republic

BMC Health Services Research ◽

10.1186/s12913-021-07439-4 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tahilin Sanchez Karver ◽

Clare Barrington ◽

Yeycy Donastorg ◽

Martha Perez ◽

Hoisex Gomez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dominican Republic ◽

Sex Workers ◽

Female Sex Workers ◽

Hiv Treatment ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Care Providers ◽

Female Sex ◽

Care Services ◽

Peer Navigation

Abstract Background Despite evidence on peer navigation’s association with positive HIV outcomes, such as engagement in HIV care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, the mechanisms through which peer navigation may influence these outcomes have been less explored. The purpose of this study is to describe the role of peer navigation and support on enhancing the quality of HIV treatment and care services experienced by female sex workers (FSWs). Methods Survey data was derived from a quantitative cohort (n = 211) of FSWs living with HIV in the Dominican Republic and complemented with data from two rounds of in-depth interviews (IDIs) from a qualitative subsample (n = 20 per round). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions were used to explore the association between peer navigation and relational aspects of care and overall satisfaction of the quality of HIV treatment and care. Thematic analysis was employed to code and synthesize textual data from IDIs. Results 41.2% of the participants reported having had contact with a peer navigator in the last 6 months. Qualitative data revealed that peer navigation and support was instrumental in assisting FSWs linkage to HIV care after diagnosis, elevating FSWs’ ability to access more comprehensive clinical care facilities, and promoting agency by improving FSWs’ skills to more strategically and effectively engage with the clinic environment and health care providers. Peer navigation was positively associated with experiencing more respectful treatment by clinic staff (AOR: 6.65, 95% CI: 2.32–19.02), and greater satisfaction with overall HIV care services (AOR: 2.57, 95% CI: 1.77–3.74). Conclusion Promoting the full integration of peer navigation into healthcare structures is a strategic approach to enhance the quality of HIV care experienced by FSWs and improve their HIV-related outcomes.

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Evaluation of short message service and peer navigation to improve engagement in HIV care in South Africa: study protocol for a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽

10.1186/s13063-016-1190-y ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Sheri A. Lippman ◽

Starley B. Shade ◽

Jeri Sumitani ◽

Julia DeKadt ◽

Jennifer M. Gilvydis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Randomized Controlled Trial ◽

Short Message Service ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Short Message ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Message Service ◽

Cluster Randomized ◽

Peer Navigation ◽

Engagement In Hiv Care

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Engagement in HIV Medical Care and Technology Use among Stimulant-Using and Nonstimulant-Using Men who have Sex with Men

AIDS Research and Treatment ◽

10.1155/2013/121352 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Keith J. Horvath ◽

Adam W. Carrico ◽

Jane Simoni ◽

Edward W. Boyer ◽

K. Rivet Amico ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Networking ◽

Medical Care ◽

Technology Use ◽

Online Survey ◽

Mobile Technologies ◽

Hiv Care ◽

Relative Risk Ratio ◽

Online Social Networking ◽

Stimulant Use ◽

Sex With Men

Aims of this study were to assess the associations between stimulant use and attitudes toward and engagement in HIV medical care and to examine technology use among stimulant-using and nonstimulant-using men who have sex with men (MSM). HIV-positive MSM (n=276; mean age = 42 years; 71% white, non-Hispanic; 43% with college degree) completed an online survey in 2009. Most men (69%) had not missed any scheduled HIV medical appointments in the past year, while 23% had missed at least one, and 9% had not attended any appointments. Stimulant use was significantly associated with not attending any HIV medical appointments in the unadjusted model (relative risk ratio(RRR)=2.84, 95% CI [1.07, 7.58]), as well as in models adjusted for demographic (RRR=3.16, 95% CI [1.13, 8.84]) and psychosocial (RRR=3.44, 95% CI [1.17, 10.15]) factors (Ps<0.05). Fewer stimulant-using than non-stimulant-using men rated HIV medical care a high priority (57% versus 85%;P<0.01). Few significant differences were found in online social networking or mobile phone use between stimulant-using and non-stimulant-using MSM, even when stratified by engagement in HIV care. Findings indicate that stimulant use is uniquely associated with nonengagement in HIV medical care in this sample, and that it may be possible to reach stimulant-using MSM using online social networking and mobile technologies.

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