If you build it will they come? Addressing social isolation within a technology-based HIV intervention for young black men who have sex with men

Abstract

The rate of HIV infections among young black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) continues to rise at an alarming pace. YBMSM are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and a lack of social support due to experiences with racism and homophobia, which may have implications for sexual risk behaviors. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of social isolation and sense of community among YBMSM, the need for and receptivity to social networking features designed to reduce social isolation and build community within an internet and mobile phone-based primary and secondary HIV prevention intervention for YBMSM and to identify strategies to develop these features. Focus groups were conducted with 22 YBMSM ages 20–30 at three sites in North Carolina. Data from the focus groups were thematically analyzed using NVivo. Feelings of social isolation and lack of a sense of community were strongly endorsed by participants with homophobia, lack of opportunities for social engagement, and a focus on sex rather than friendship in interpersonal relationships with other YBMSM cited as contributing factors. Participants were receptive to a social networking intervention designed to reduce social isolation and build community. Recommendations offered by participants to increase acceptability and usability of such features included: availability of information about healthy relationships, the ability to connect with other YBMSM and health care providers, and ensuring the site had ongoing facilitation by the study team as well as monitoring for inappropriate content. The development of a social networking feature of an HIV prevention intervention may present an opportunity to reduce social isolation, build community and reduce risky sexual behaviors among YBMSM. The findings from this study are being used to inform the development of a social networking feature for an existing internet and mobile phone-based primary and secondary HIV prevention intervention for YBMSM.

The Use of Mobile Health Applications Among Youth and Young Adults Living with HIV: Focus Group Findings

“…Connecting to a community played a key role in participants' lives and all had numerous social networking apps that were used on a daily basis. The feeling of social isolation and lack of sense of community has been reported in prior literature 25 ; similarly, the desire for connection to a community of other YLWH was important in our focus group discussions. Social networking apps were followed in popularity by apps related to health and information; therefore, tracking of personal health information and obtaining news and education were deemed an important functionality of a mobile health app.…”

Contributions of Qualitative Research in Informing HIV/AIDS Interventions Targeting Black MSM in the United States

“…Without a cohesive community in which they could be engaged, BMSM are more likely to internalize negative views about same-sex behavior (Kraft et al, 2000; Stokes amp; Peterson, 1998), they may remain “hidden” and not disclose their homosexual behaviors and/or HIV status (Lichtenstein, 2008; Woodyard et al, 2000), and they may engage in unhealthy behaviors that can undermine HIV prevention (Mamary et al, 2007; Williams et al, 2004; Wilson amp; Moore, 2009). Given this, many of the studies reviewed here emphasized a focus on resilient aspects of BMSM’s social identities and lived experiences (Arnold amp; Bailey, 2009; Balaji et al, 2012; Hawkeswood, 1996; Hussen et al, 2014b; Jeffries et al, 2008) and the potential for creating communities that can foster resilience (Arnold amp; Bailey, 2009; Arrington-Sanders, Leonard, Brooks, Celentano amp; Ellen, 2013; LeGrand, Muessig, Pike, Baltierra, amp; Hightow-Weidman, 2014; Mamary et al, 2007). …”

Youth, Technology, and HIV: Recent Advances and Future Directions

“…HealthMpowerment (HMP) is a mobile phone-optimized, Internet-delivered intervention developed through a multistage process based on iterative feedback from focus groups, individual interviews, and usability testing with the target population of Black YMSM and transgender women (TW) (age 18 to 30) (19, 66). The intervention provides information, resources, tailored feedback, game-based elements and a social networking platform to offer and receive social support.…”