Short Text Messages to Motivate HIV Testing Among Men Who have Sex with Men: A Qualitative Study in Lima, Peru

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify features and content that short message service (SMS) should have in order to motivate HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lima, Peru. Methods: From October, 2010 to February, 2011, we conducted focus groups at two stages; six focus groups were conducted to explore and identify SMS content and features and two additional focus groups were conducted to tailor SMS content. The text messages were elaborated within the theoretical framework of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model and the Social Support Theory. Results: A total of 62 individuals participated in the focus groups. The mean age of participants was 28 years (range 18-39). We identified important features and content items needed for the successful delivery of text messages, including: a) the use of neutral and coded language; b) appropriate frequency and time of delivery; c) avoiding mass and repetitive messages; and d) use of short, concise and creative messages. Although in Peru receiving text messages is usually a free service, it is important to remind participants that receiving messages will be free of charge. Conclusion: Text messages can be used to promote HIV testing among Peruvian MSM. It is important to consider adequate frequency, message content and cost when delivering messages to promote HIV testing in this population

Motivating Men Who Have Sex With Men to Get Tested for HIV

Although men who have sex with men (MSM) have the highest HIV prevalence in Peru, they are underserved by traditional preventive programs. Interestingly, in Peru the Internet and cell-phones have emerged as a convenient tool to reach this population

¿Cómo producir un video para promover la prueba del VIH en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres?

El objetivo del estudio fue describir el proceso de diseñar y producir un video para promover la prueba del VIH en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) peruanos. El proceso involucró los siguientes pasos: identificación de las teorías de cambio de comportamiento; identificación de los mensajes clave y características del video; elaboración de un guion que cautive al público objetivo; trabajar con una compañía de producción con experiencia; y el piloto del video. Un video con situaciones cotidianas de riesgo asociadas con la infección por el VIH fue el preferido por los participantes. Los mensajes clave identificados, y los constructos de los modelos teóricos elegidos, fueron empleados para crear las escenas del video. Los participantes se identificaron con el video principal de 9 minutos de duración el cual lo consideraron claro y dinámico. Es necesario trabajar con la población objetivo para diseñar un video acorde con sus preferencia

¿Cómo producir un video para promover la prueba del VIH en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres?

El objetivo del estudio fue describir el proceso de diseñar y producir un video para promover la prueba del VIH en hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) peruanos. El proceso involucró los siguientes pasos: identificación de las teorías de cambio de comportamiento; identificación de los mensajes clave y características del video; elaboración de un guion que cautive al público objetivo; trabajar con una compañía de producción con experiencia; y el piloto del video. Un video con situaciones cotidianas de riesgo asociadas con la infección por el VIH fue el preferido por los participantes. Los mensajes clave identificados, y los constructos de los modelos teóricos elegidos, fueron empleados para crear las escenas del video. Los participantes se identificaron con el video principal de 9 minutos de duración el cual lo consideraron claro y dinámico. Es necesario trabajar con la población objetivo para diseñar un video acorde con sus preferencia

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

Background: Men 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 Findings: From 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. Conclusions: Interventions 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

Feasibility of Recruiting Peer Educators to Promote HIV Testing Using Facebook Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Peru

Abstract: A peer leader-based intervention using social media can be an effective means to encourage Peruvian gay men to test for HIV. The objective was to explore the feasibility of recruiting and training leaders to deliver a peer intervention via Facebook to promote HIV testing. Training consisted of three sessions focused on HIV epidemiology, consequences of stigma associated with HIV, and ways to use Facebook. We performed pre- and post-training evaluations to assess HIV knowledge and comfort using Facebook. We trained 34 peer leaders. At baseline, the majority of peer leaders were already qualified and knowledgeable about HIV prevention and use of social media. We found a significant increase in proportion of peer leaders who were comfortable using social media to discuss about sexual partners and about STIs. It is feasible to recruit peer leaders who are qualified to conduct a social media based HIV prevention intervention in Peru. Resumen: Una intervención de líderes pares en una red social puede ser un medio efectivo para promover la prueba del VIH en hombres gays Peruanos. El objetivo fue explorar la factibilidad de reclutar y entrenar a líderes para ejecutar una intervención en Facebook para promover la prueba del VIH. El entrenamiento consistió en tres sesiones: Epidemiología del VIH, consecuencias del estigma asociado al VIH, y uso de Facebook para comunicarse. Entrenamos a 34 participantes. Antes del entrenamiento, la mayoría de líderes ya conocía acerca de prevención del VIH y estaba calificado para el uso de redes sociales. Encontramos un incremento significativo en la comodidad para usar Facebook para discutir acerca de parejas sexuales y de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Es factible reclutar pares calificados para conducir una intervención en Facebook para prevenir el VIH en gays Peruanos

Feasibility of Recruiting Peer Educators to Promote HIV Testing Using Facebook Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Peru

Abstract: A peer leader-based intervention using social media can be an effective means to encourage Peruvian gay men to test for HIV. The objective was to explore the feasibility of recruiting and training leaders to deliver a peer intervention via Facebook to promote HIV testing. Training consisted of three sessions focused on HIV epidemiology, consequences of stigma associated with HIV, and ways to use Facebook. We performed pre- and post-training evaluations to assess HIV knowledge and comfort using Facebook. We trained 34 peer leaders. At baseline, the majority of peer leaders were already qualified and knowledgeable about HIV prevention and use of social media. We found a significant increase in proportion of peer leaders who were comfortable using social media to discuss about sexual partners and about STIs. It is feasible to recruit peer leaders who are qualified to conduct a social media based HIV prevention intervention in Peru. Resumen: Una intervención de líderes pares en una red social puede ser un medio efectivo para promover la prueba del VIH en hombres gays Peruanos. El objetivo fue explorar la factibilidad de reclutar y entrenar a líderes para ejecutar una intervención en Facebook para promover la prueba del VIH. El entrenamiento consistió en tres sesiones: Epidemiología del VIH, consecuencias del estigma asociado al VIH, y uso de Facebook para comunicarse. Entrenamos a 34 participantes. Antes del entrenamiento, la mayoría de líderes ya conocía acerca de prevención del VIH y estaba calificado para el uso de redes sociales. Encontramos un incremento significativo en la comodidad para usar Facebook para discutir acerca de parejas sexuales y de infecciones de transmisión sexual. Es factible reclutar pares calificados para conducir una intervención en Facebook para prevenir el VIH en gays Peruanos

HIV testing among social media-using Peruvian men who have sex with men: correlates and social context

HIV remains concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru, and homophobia and AIDS-related stigmas have kept the epidemic difficult to address. Gay self-identity has been associated with increased HIV testing, though this relationship has not been examined extensively. Social media use has been rapidly increasing in Peru, yet little is known about MSM social media users in Peru. This study sought to investigate the demographic, behavioral, and stigma-related factors associated with HIV testing among social media-using Peruvian MSM. Five hundred and fifty-six MSM from Lima and surrounding areas were recruited from social networking websites to complete a survey on their sexual risk behaviors. We examined the demographic and social correlates of HIV testing behavior among this sample. Younger age and non-gay identity were significantly associated with lower likelihood of getting tested in univariate analysis. After controlling for key behaviors and AIDS-related stigma, younger age remained significantly associated with decreased testing. Participants who engaged in discussions online about HIV testing were more likely to get tested, while AIDS-related stigma presented a significant barrier to testing. Stigma severity also varied significantly by sexual identity. Youth appear to be significantly less likely than older individuals to test for HIV. Among Peruvian MSM, AIDS-related stigma remains a strong predictor of willingness to get tested. Social media-based intervention work targeting Peruvian youth should encourage discussion around HIV testing, and must also address AIDS-related stigma

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