Abstract
Online social media and mobile technologies hold potential to enhance adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), although
little is known about the current use of these technologies among people living with HIV (PLWH). To address this gap in understanding,
312 PLWH (84% male, 69% White) US adults completed an online survey in 2009, from which 22 persons accepted an invitation
to participate in one of two online focus groups. Results showed that 76% of participants with lower ART adherence used social
networking websites/features at least once a week. Their ideal online social networking health websites included one that
facilitated socializing with others (45% of participants) and ones with relevant HIV informational content (22%), although
privacy was a barrier to use (26%). Texting (81%), and to a lesser extent mobile web-access (51%), was widely used among participants.
Results support the potential reach of online social networking and text messaging intervention approaches.
little is known about the current use of these technologies among people living with HIV (PLWH). To address this gap in understanding,
312 PLWH (84% male, 69% White) US adults completed an online survey in 2009, from which 22 persons accepted an invitation
to participate in one of two online focus groups. Results showed that 76% of participants with lower ART adherence used social
networking websites/features at least once a week. Their ideal online social networking health websites included one that
facilitated socializing with others (45% of participants) and ones with relevant HIV informational content (22%), although
privacy was a barrier to use (26%). Texting (81%), and to a lesser extent mobile web-access (51%), was widely used among participants.
Results support the potential reach of online social networking and text messaging intervention approaches.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10461-012-0164-7
- Authors
- Keith J. Horvath, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
- Gene P. Danilenko, Xerebral, Inc, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Mark L. Williams, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, FL, USA
- Jane Simoni, Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- K. Rivet Amico, Center for Health Intervention and Promotion, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
- J. Michael Oakes, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
- B. R. Simon Rosser, Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454, USA
- Journal AIDS and Behavior
- Online ISSN 1573-3254
- Print ISSN 1090-7165