Social Network Interventions for HIV Transmission Elimination

Pagkas-Bather, Jade; Young, Lindsay E.; Chen, Yen-Tyng; Schneider, John A.

doi:10.1007/s11904-020-00524-z

Cited by 30 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 68 publications

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“…Such low stigma and positive attributes likely served as mental resources for their own decisions to use PrEP. Since men noted that they had heard about PrEP from their familial or social networks, community-based PrEP champions may serve as important role models for initiating and continuing PrEP use (51).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What motivated men to start PrEP? A cross-section of men starting PrEP in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa

Smith

Daniels

Bekker

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Compared to women, South African men are less likely to know their HIV status (78% vs 89%), have suppressed viral loads (82% vs 90%), or access HIV prevention services. To achieve epidemic control where heterosexual sexual behavior drives transmission, interventions to improve the uptake of HIV testing services (HTS) and prevention services must also target cis-gendered, heterosexual men. There is limited understanding of these men’s needs and wants with regards to accessing pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Methods Adult men (≥ 18 years) from a peri-urban community in Buffalo City Municipality were offered community-based HTS. Those who received a negative HIV test result were offered community-based, same-day oral PrEP initiation. Men initiating PrEP were invited to participate in a study exploring men’s HIV prevention needs and reasons for initiating PrEP. An in-depth interview guide, developed using the Network-Individual-Resources model (NIRM), explored men’s perceived HIV acquisition risk, prevention needs, and preferences for PrEP initiation. Interviews were conducted by a trained interviewer in isiXhosa or English, audio-recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used, guided by the NIRM to generate findings. Results Twenty-two men (age range 18–57 years) initiated PrEP and consented to study participation. Men reported elevated HIV acquisition risk associated with alcohol use and condom-less sex with multiple partners as facilitators driving PrEP initiation. They anticipated social support from family members, their main sexual partner and close friends for their PrEP use, and discussed other men as important sources of support for PrEP initiation. Nearly all men expressed positive views of people using PrEP. Participants believed HIV testing would be a barrier for men interested in accessing PrEP. Men recommended that access to PrEP be convenient, rapid, and community-based (i.e., not clinic-based). Discussion Self-perceived risk for HIV acquisition was a major facilitator for men’s PrEP initiation. Although men expressed positive perceptions of PrEP users, they noted that HIV testing may be a barrier to PrEP initiation. Finally, men recommended convenient access points to facilitate PrEP initiation and sustained use. Gender-responsive interventions tailored to men’s needs, wants, and voices will facilitate their uptake of HIV prevention services, and help to end the HIV epidemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What motivated men to start PrEP? A cross-section of men starting PrEP in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa

Smith

Daniels

Bekker

et al. 2022

Preprint

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“…Third, social media was used to motivate health behavior change; intervention participants used social media to document and share their own progress of health behavior change such as uploading a picture of an everyday healthy meal [50] and sharing virtual awards of weekly achievement in physical activities [51], setting group challenges toward health goals [52], and engaging in health behavior competition with peers [53]. Last, at the preparing stage of an intervention, social media was also used to reach broader and more varied populations, including hard-to-reach populations [54,55].…”

Section: Health Interventionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Media Use for Health Purposes: Systematic Review

Chen¹,

Wang²

2021

J Med Internet Res

394

220

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Background Social media has been widely used for health-related purposes, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Previous reviews have summarized social media uses for a specific health purpose such as health interventions, health campaigns, medical education, and disease outbreak surveillance. The most recent comprehensive review of social media uses for health purposes, however, was conducted in 2013. A systematic review that covers various health purposes is needed to reveal the new usages and research gaps that emerge in recent years. Objective This study aimed to provide a systematic review of social media uses for health purposes that have been identified in previous studies. Methods The researchers searched for peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2006 and 2020 in 12 databases covering medicine, public health, and social science. After coding the articles in terms of publication year, journal area, country, method, social media platform, and social media use for health purposes, the researchers provided a review of social media use for health purposes identified in these articles. Results This study summarized 10 social media uses for various health purposes by health institutions, health researchers and practitioners, and the public. Conclusions Social media can be used for various health purposes. Several new usages have emerged since 2013 including advancing health research and practice, social mobilization, and facilitating offline health-related services and events. Research gaps exist regarding advancing strategic use of social media based on audience segmentation, evaluating the impact of social media in health interventions, understanding the impact of health identity development, and addressing privacy concerns.

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“…Our findings show that face-to-face and online MSM social networks are key spaces for disseminating and sharing information on sexual health, HIV prevention and PrEP. There is strong evidence 15,[19][20][21][22][23] showing the social support role played by peers and the association between this support and an increase in knowledge of PrEP and take up, a reduction in stigma, discrimination and HIV risk behaviors, and increased reach of PrEP in populations with lower coverage by typical clinical and public health strategies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, studies investigating the circulation of information that influences the decision to use PrEP and the potential impacts of the socialization of PrEP usage in these networks are scarce. Understanding these phenomena is therefore essential for developing effective HIV prevention polices 15 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men: peer communication, engagement and social networks

Santos

Grangeiro²,

Couto³

2022

Ciênc. saúde coletiva

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HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has renewed optimism in controlling the HIV epidemic, despite its continued growth among men who have sex with men (MSM). The popularity of dating-sexual dating apps and digital media platforms in exchanging information and experiences about PrEP on peer social networks is recognized. However, studies on contexts, motivations, and scope in HIV prevention are scarce. The article aims to understand the dynamics of virtual and face-to-face peer networks among MSM for the decision to use PrEP, its disclosure, and publicity. Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with 48 PrEP users from five Brazilian cities. Most interviewees share information and experiences about PrEP in peer social networks. However, its publication reveals tensions arising from the permanence of stigmas associated with homosexuality and HIV. The protagonism in exposing the use of PrEP expresses commitment to attracting new users. The relevance of peer social networks in sharing experiences and information about PrEP has the potential to diversify the target audience and expand and democratize PrEP coverage in the country.

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Social Network Interventions for HIV Transmission Elimination

Cited by 30 publications

References 68 publications

What motivated men to start PrEP? A cross-section of men starting PrEP in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa

What motivated men to start PrEP? A cross-section of men starting PrEP in Buffalo City Municipality, South Africa

Social Media Use for Health Purposes: Systematic Review

HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men: peer communication, engagement and social networks

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