A Systematic Review of the Social Network Strategy to Optimize HIV Testing in Key Populations to End the Epidemic in the United States

Stojanovski, Kristefer; Naja-Riese, Gary M.; King, Elizabeth J.; Fuchs, Jonathan

doi:10.1007/s10461-021-03259-z

Cited by 16 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…Some disclosed living with HIV, and asked for support on understanding nutrition, HIV, and available care in Ghana. These preliminary observations complement several studies that show that peer-led interventions, where peers provide support and referral to HIV services, significantly increased the odds of HIV testing, especially among MSM [ 14 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Section: Discussion Of Lessons Learnedsupporting

confidence: 84%

HIV Education, Empathy, and Empowerment (HIVE3): A Peer Support Intervention for Reducing Intersectional Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana

Abubakari

Owusu-Dampare

Ogunbajo

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Ghana remain at heightened risk of HIV infection, and face challenges in accessing HIV prevention and care services. Previous research in Ghana shows that MSM face intersectional stigma across ecological levels (family, peers, healthcare settings, and community level) and the criminalization of same-gender sexual behaviors in the country. To protect their wellbeing from exposure to stigma, many MSM avoid interactions with healthcare systems and services, which inadvertently inhibits their opportunities for early detection and treatment of HIV. Consequently, MSM in Ghana carry a disproportionate burden of HIV prevalence (18%) compared to the general population (2%), highlighting the need for culturally relevant processes in HIV/STI prevention, and care communication to optimize sexual health and wellness among MSM in Ghana. To this effect, we collaborated with community partners to use the Assessment, Decision, Adaptation, Production, Topical Experts, Training, Testing (ADAPT-ITT) model to modify a theory-driven smartphone-based peer support intervention to enhance its focus on intersectional stigma reduction, and improve HIV health-seeking behaviors among MSM, including HIV testing and linkage to care. We used the Dennis Peer Support Model to develop the peer support components (emotional, informational, and appraisal support) to increase peer social support, decrease social isolation, and minimize intersectional stigma effects on HIV-related healthcare-seeking behaviors. This paper shows the preliminary acceptability and effectiveness of employing culturally relevant techniques and communication strategies to provide secure peer support to improve HIV prevention and care among key populations in highly stigmatized environments.

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Section: Discussion Of Lessons Learnedsupporting

confidence: 84%

HIV Education, Empathy, and Empowerment (HIVE3): A Peer Support Intervention for Reducing Intersectional Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana

Abubakari

Owusu-Dampare

Ogunbajo

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…To increase the identification of people living with HIV, reduce HIV infections, and improve linkages to care, reoccurring HIV testing for HIV key populations is recommended [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HIV testing every 3 to 6 months for sexually active and high-risk youth and young adults (YYA).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Different Types of HIV Communication and Sociocultural Factors on Perceived HIV Stigma and Testing among a National Sample of Youth and Young Adults

Abubakari

Smith

Boyd

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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In the United States, racial/ethnic and sexual youth and young adults (YYA) of color are disproportionately affected by HIV. Subsequently, YYA experience HIV stigma and engage in increased risk behaviors and reduced HIV testing. HIV communication has been identified as a potential buffer to HIV stigma, resulting in health-seeking behaviors, such as HIV testing. In this study, we respond to a meaningful gap in the literature by examining different types of HIV communication and their impact on HIV stigma and HIV testing in a diverse sample of YYA. We analyzed secondary data from the Kaiser Family Foundation National Survey of Teens and Young Adults on HIV/AIDS. A 40-question, web-based survey was conducted with 1437 youth (ages 15–24). Recruitment included a dual sampling method from households with: (1) listed phone numbers, (2) unlisted phone numbers, (3) telephones, (4) no telephone, and (5) only cell phone access. The purpose of the survey was to establish participants’ HIV knowledge, communication, experiences, and testing behaviors. Findings suggested an association between intimate-partner HIV communication, increased HIV testing, and reduced HIV stigma. We also identified differentials in HIV testing and stigma based on gender, income, age, and sexual minority status, explained by HIV communication. Further research is needed that examines ways to use intimate-partner HIV communication to reduce stigma and increase HIV testing among YYA of different sociodemographic characteristics and sexual orientations.

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“…All the sexual partners (127/127, 100.0%) referred via the Line app completed the rapid HIV tests by our trained staff during the research period, which signifies that the referral strategy was highly feasible and that the recruitment exercise had been successful. One possible reason for the high testing rate of the sexual partners could be the thorough preparation of the recruiters and the trust relationship between the referrers and peers [ 33 ]. We provided a suggested referral message to share with sexual partners to explain the reason for the referral and endorse the testing experience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Partner Referral for HIV Testing Through Social Networking Platforms: Cross-sectional Study

Chiou¹,

Hung²,

Chen³

2022

JMIR Public Health Surveill

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Background Men who have sex with men (MSM) who undergo voluntary HIV counseling and testing (VCT) often report condomless anal sexual intercourse, having many sexual partners, and being exposed to risky sexual networks. Limited research has discussed the application of motivational interviewing and convenience referral platforms to facilitate the referral of sexual partners for HIV testing among MSM. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effects of VCT referral by sexual partners through social networking platforms and the test results after elicited interviews with MSM; compare the characteristics and risk behaviors among MSM tested without referral, index subjects, and referred sexual partners; and explore unknown sexual affiliations through visualizing and quantifying the social network graph. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit index subjects from a community HIV screening station frequented by MSM in Taipei City on Friday and Saturday nights. Respondent-driven sampling was used to recruit sexual partners. Partner-elicited interviews were conducted by trained staff before VCT to motivate MSM to become index subjects and refer sexual partners via the Line app, or to disclose the accounts and profiles of sexual partners on relevant social networking platforms. Referred sexual partners received rapid HIV testing, and the recruitment process was repeated until leads were exhausted. Results After the interviews, 28.2% (75/266) of MSM were successfully persuaded to become index subjects in the first wave, referring 127 sexual partners via the Line app for rapid HIV testing and disclosing 40 sexual partners. The index subjects and tested sexual partners had more sexual partners (F2=3.83, P=.02), more frequent anal intercourse (F2=10.10, P<.001), and higher percentages of those who had not previously received HIV testing (χ21=6.1, P=.047) compared with MSM tested without referrals. The new HIV-seropositivity rate among tested sexual partners was 2.4%, which was higher than the rate in the other 2 groups. The social network analysis revealed the following 4 types of sexual affiliation: chain, Y, star, and complicated. Among the HIV-negative sexual partners, 26.9% (43/160) had sexual affiliations with HIV-positive nodes, and 40% (10/25) were untested sexual partners with a direct sexual affiliation with an HIV-positive node. Four transmission bridges were found in the network graph. Conclusions Partner-elicited interviews can effectively promote referral for HIV testing and case identification via Line, and can clarify unknown sexual affiliations of MSM to facilitate the development of a tailored prevention program. Social network analysis is needed for an insightful understanding of the different network structures.

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A Systematic Review of the Social Network Strategy to Optimize HIV Testing in Key Populations to End the Epidemic in the United States

Cited by 16 publications

References 47 publications

HIV Education, Empathy, and Empowerment (HIVE3): A Peer Support Intervention for Reducing Intersectional Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana

HIV Education, Empathy, and Empowerment (HIVE3): A Peer Support Intervention for Reducing Intersectional Stigma as a Barrier to HIV Testing among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ghana

Assessing Different Types of HIV Communication and Sociocultural Factors on Perceived HIV Stigma and Testing among a National Sample of Youth and Young Adults

Sexual Partner Referral for HIV Testing Through Social Networking Platforms: Cross-sectional Study

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