Is There An App For That?: Understanding Cancer Communication Preferences Among Men Living with HIV/AIDS

Background: Over the decades, the survival rate of men living with HIV/AIDS (MLH) has increased substantially. As MLH live longer, their risk of developing diseases faced by the general population increases. Cancer is now the third most common non-AIDS related cause of death among MLH. Identifying innovative ways to communicate cancer risk is central to curtailing the burden of disease among MLH. Thus, the purpose of this study was to understand MLH cancer communication preferences.

Methods: Twenty MLH were recruited from a community medical practice in Washington, DC and asked to participate in face-to-face qualitative interviews to understand factors related to cancer screening promotion.

Results: Most participants were African American/Black (n=14), non-Hispanic (n=18), self-identified as gay (n=19), mean age=45±8.86 years, mean time since HIV diagnosis=14±8.03 years. Most participants received general health information from their healthcare provider and the internet. Two preferred sources for cancer communication emerged: healthcare provider and mobile media. Most participants expressed that future intervention strategies should utilize mobile media applications frequented by MLH/gay men to increase cancer awareness. Specific intervention content should focus on general awareness/knowledge of cancer risks specific to MLH and cancer screening promotion. An underlying theme was that strategies should be culturally appropriate and refrain from stereotypes that would further stigmatize MLH/gay men.

Conclusions: Mobile media and healthcare providers may be effective channels to communicate cancer information to MLH. Intervention content should be culturally sensitive and focus on cancer awareness/knowledge building. To better ensure cultural sensitivity, cancer prevention/control efforts targeting MLH should utilize community-engaged research approaches.