Effect of an Online Video-Based Intervention to Increase HIV Testing in Men Who Have Sex with Men in Peru

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough many men who have sex with men (MSM) in Peru are unaware of their HIV status, they are frequent users of the Internet, and can be approached by that medium for promotion of HIV testing.MethodsWe conducted an online randomized controlled trial to compare the effect of HIV-testing motivational videos versus standard public health text, both offered through a gay website. The videos were customized for two audiences based on self-identification: either gay or non-gay men. The outcomes evaluated were ‘intention to get tested’ and ‘HIV testing at the clinic.’FindingsIn the non-gay identified group, 97 men were randomly assigned to the video-based intervention and 90 to the text-based intervention. Non-gay identified participants randomized to the video-based intervention were more likely to report their intention of getting tested for HIV within the next 30 days (62.5% vs. 15.4%, Relative Risk (RR): 2.77, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.42–5.39). After a mean of 125.5 days of observation (range 42–209 days), 11 participants randomized to the video and none of the participants randomized to text attended our clinic requesting HIV testing (p = 0.001). In the gay-identified group, 142 men were randomized to the video-based intervention and 130 to the text-based intervention. Gay-identified participants randomized to the video were more likely to report intentions of getting an HIV test within 30 days, although not significantly (50% vs. 21.6%, RR: 1.54, 95% CI: 0.74–3.20). At the end of follow up, 8 participants who watched the video and 10 who read the text visited our clinic for HIV testing (Hazard Ratio: 1.07, 95% CI: 0.40–2.85).ConclusionThis study provides some evidence of the efficacy of a video-based online intervention in improving HIV testing among non-gay-identified MSM in Peru. This intervention may be adopted by institutions with websites oriented to motivate HIV testing among similar MSM populations.Trial registrationClinicaltrials.gov NCT00751192

The clinical effectiveness of individual behaviour change interventions to reduce risky sexual behaviour after a negative human immunodeficiency virus test in men who have sex with men: systematic and realist reviews and intervention development

“…The reasons for each decision are given in Appendix 3. Articles were excluded for not being a RCT or other suitable study, as specified in our inclusion criteria; not having the sufficient percentage of MSM in the study population; [137][138][139][140][141][142][143][144][145] not including a sufficient percentage of HIV-negative participants; [146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156] or not being an individually focused intervention, instead focusing on groups or structural factors. [157][158][159][160][161][162][163][164][165][166][167] Other reasons for exclusion, such as interventions not being brief, reporting a pilot trial, reporting non-HIV-specific data (e.g.…”

Men-centered Approaches for Primary and Secondary Prevention of HIV/ AIDS: A Scoping Review of Effective Interventions

“…Five electronic-based prevention interventions for MSM were selected in this review search. Computer-based individual online educational videos, interactive virtual environments and internet modules are effective in increasing HIV testing, knowledge and/or reported safer sex practices in men [54][55][56]. Furthermore, individual cell phone reminders and telephone based brief counseling interventions using a motivation interviewing style are effective in improving knowledge, antiretroviral therapy adherence and/or reported safer sex practices in men [57,58].…”

A Mobile-Based App (MyChoices) to Increase Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

“…More than 20% of all new HIV infections in the US are among young people aged [13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], and 92% of these new infections are diagnosed in YMSMmaking them one of the largest risk groups for HIV.…”

“…However, formative research suggests that online, mobile, or social media outlets are acceptable and feasible means to increase uptake of prevention services and HIV testing among MSM. [16][17][18][19][20] Informed by extensive formative research, Dr. Patrick Sullivan of Emory University (one of iTech's Principal Investigators), with app developers from Keymind, developed and tested an HIV testing promotion app for adult MSM ("HealthMindr"). [21] Our initial formative research with YMSM [22] suggested interest in an HIV testing app like HealthMindr, but the youth agreed that it had to be adapted to be more culturally and developmentally appropriate for their peers.…”