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Technology Use and Reasons to Participate in Social Networking Health Websites among People Living with HIV in the US

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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.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (5R34MH083549). We wish to thank the participants of this study for their time and effort.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 1300 South 2nd Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA

    Keith J. Horvath, J. Michael Oakes & B. R. Simon Rosser

  2. Xerebral, Inc, Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Gene P. Danilenko

  3. Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Miami, FL, USA

    Mark L. Williams

  4. Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Jane Simoni

  5. Center for Health Intervention and Promotion, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA

    K. Rivet Amico

Authors
  1. Keith J. Horvath
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  2. Gene P. Danilenko
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  3. Mark L. Williams
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  4. Jane Simoni
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  5. K. Rivet Amico
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  6. J. Michael Oakes
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  7. B. R. Simon Rosser
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Correspondence to Keith J. Horvath.

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Horvath, K.J., Danilenko, G.P., Williams, M.L. et al. Technology Use and Reasons to Participate in Social Networking Health Websites among People Living with HIV in the US. AIDS Behav 16, 900–910 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0164-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-012-0164-7

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