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Potential challenges with using mhealth interventions among medically underserved middle-aged women living with HIV
Methods: Our study focused on cervical cancer prevention knowledge and screening behaviors among 145 urban and rural medically underserved HIV-positive women (90% black, mean age 45.2±10.7 years) recruited from Ryan White-funded clinics and community-based AIDS-service organizations in the southeastern United States. We also examined mobile phone ownership, email and social media use via self-administered, paper-and-pencil questionnaires. Follow-up focus group discussions explored interest in mHealth intervention strategies (i.e., text, email, social media).
Results: Most (75%) owned a mobile phone (45.5±10.5 years), of which 66% used only mobile phones (44.9±10.5 years) and 54% had pre-paid plans (46.1±10.3 years). Only 32% used email (42.0±11.7 years) and 26% used social media (42.5±10.9 years). Facebook (41.9±10.5 years) was used by 97% of social media users. Although our focus group data showed mixed receptivity to mHealth intervention strategies, age-appropriateness and trusted source of information were key themes that emerged.
Conclusions: mHealth interventions have been used successfully in HIV/AIDS prevention efforts. With the continued graying of the HIV epidemic, it will become increasingly important to reach an aging population with cost-effective mHealth interventions. Mixed receptivity among our study population of largely middle-aged HIV-positive women suggests more formative research is needed to inform the development of culturally-appropriate mHealth interventions strategies for this vulnerable group.
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Program planning
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Describe mobile phone, email and social media use among urban and rural medically underserved HIV-positive women residing in the southeastern United States.
Discuss potential challenges that may be encountered trying to disseminate and implement mHealth interventions among urban and rural medically-underserved HIV-positive women residing in the southeastern United States.
Keywords: Health Communications, Cancer Prevention
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the project leader and co-principal investigator of two pilot studies focused on cervical cancer prevention and control among HIV-positive women.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.