A Multilevel Analysis of Social Network Characteristics and Technology Use on HIV Risk and Protective Behaviors Among Transgender Women

Abstract

This study examined the empirical structure (i.e., size, density, duration) of transgender women's social networks and estimated how network alters' perceived HIV risk/protective behaviors influenced transgender women's own HIV risk/protective behaviors. From July 2015 to September 2016, 271 transgender women completed surveys on sociodemographic characteristics, HIV risk/protective behaviors, and social networks. Hierarchical generalized linear models examined the associations of social network alter member data 'nested' within participant data. Analyses revealed that social network factors were associated with HIV risk/protective behaviors, and that the gender identity of the alters (cisgender vs. transgender), and social network sites and technology use patterns ("SNS/tech") moderated these associations. Among network alters with whom the participant communicated via SNS/tech, participants' HIV risk behavior was positively associated with alters' HIV risk behavior (cisgender alters aOR 4.10; transgender alters aOR 5.87). Among cisgender alters (but not transgender alters) with whom the participant communicated via SNS/tech, participants' HIV protective behavior was positively associated with alters' HIV protective behavior (aOR 8.94).

Leveraging Social Networks and Technology for HIV Prevention and Treatment With Transgender Women

“…Researchers have shown how trans women use the Internet to develop online communities (Rosser, Oakes, Bockting, & Miner, 2007;Shapiro, 2004) and social networking sites (SNS) such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, as well as other technology (tech)-based networking platforms, like text messages or chat rooms (hereafter referred to as SNS/tech), to seek affiliation with other trans people and develop social support structures (Green-Hamann & Sherblom, 2013;Shapiro, 2004). SNS/tech is also a crucial medium for exchanging health information among trans women (Pinto, Melendez, & Spector, 2008) and for navigating work in the sex trade (Collumbien et al, 2009;Reback, Clark, Fletcher, & Holloway, 2019;Reisner et al, 2009). HIV prevention interventions informed by social network dynamics have been efficacious when tailored for men who have sex with men (MSM; Amirkhanian, Kelly, Kabakchieva, McAuliffe, & Vassileva, 2003;Kelly, 2004) and injection drug users (IDUs; Latkin et al, 2009).…”

Cabaran Hidup Penghidap Hiv Dalam Kalangan Wanita

“…Komunikasi berkesan antara PHW dengan pihak lain sangat penting kerana ia menjadi satu daripada strategi untuk membina kembali kehidupan mereka serta membuktikan kehadiran mereka diterima dalam masyarakat. Malah, dikatakan juga bahawa, komunikasi memberi pengaruh yang besar kepada PHW yang berada dalam situasi tertekan atau menghadapi masalah kesihatan seperti HIV positif (Reback et al, 2019). Namun begitu, tidak semua pihak yang berani atau sudi untuk berkomunikasi dengan PHW kerana risau dijangkiti oleh virus maut yang belum ditemui penawarnya sehingga kini.…”

A Methodology for the Dynamic Design of Adaptive Log Management Infrastructures

“…The authors combined stakeholder management with risk management, to provide a reference for the social stability risk management. Additional applications of SNA in studying risk are presented in [31] and [32] where the risk of spreading a disease is discussed.…”