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Feasibility and Acceptability of Cell Phone Diaries to Measure HIV Risk Behavior Among Female Sex Workers

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Abstract

Individual, social, and structural factors affecting HIV risk behaviors among female sex workers (FSWs) are difficult to assess using retrospective surveys methods. To test the feasibility and acceptability of cell phone diaries to collect information about sexual events, we recruited 26 FSWs in Indianapolis, Indiana (US). Over 4 weeks, FSWs completed twice daily digital diaries about their mood, drug use, sexual interactions, and daily activities. Feasibility was assessed using repeated measures general linear modeling and descriptive statistics examined event-level contextual information and acceptability. Of 1,420 diaries expected, 90.3 % were completed by participants and compliance was stable over time (p > .05 for linear trend). Sexual behavior was captured in 22 % of diaries and participant satisfaction with diary data collection was high. These data provide insight into event-level factors impacting HIV risk among FSWs. We discuss implications for models of sexual behavior and individually tailored interventions to prevent HIV in this high-risk group.

Resumen

Los factores individuales, sociales, y estructurales que afectan el comportamiento de riesgo entre las trabajadoras sexuales (TS) son difíciles de medir con el uso de encuestas con métodos retrospectivos. Para probar la viabilidad y aceptabilidad de los diarios de teléfonos celulares para recopilar información acerca de eventos sexuales, se reclutaron 26 TS en Indianápolis (Indiana, E.E.U.U). Durante 4 semanas, las TS completaron diarios electrónicos dos veces al día e incluyeron información sobre su estado de ánimo, consumo de drogas, interacciones sexuales, y sus actividades diarias. La viabilidad se evaluó a través de un modelo lineal general para medidas repetidas y con estadísticas descriptivas se examinó la información a nivel del evento y la aceptabilidad. De los 1,420 diarios esperados, el 90.3 % estuvieron completos con una permanencia a lo largo del estudio (p > .05 por tendencia lineal). La satisfacción de las participantes sobre la recolección de los datos con los diarios fue alta. La conducta sexual se capturó en el 22 % de los diarios. Estos resultados datos proporcionan un discernimiento en los factores a nivel de evento que afectan el riesgo de VIH entre trabajadoras sexuales. Se discute sobre las implicaciones de los modelos de comportamiento sexual y las intervenciones adaptadas individualmente para prevenir el VIH en este grupo de alto riesgo.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Bethlehem House, Indianapolis Community Court, Marion County Public Health Department’s Bell Flower Clinic, and Step Up Inc. for their invaluable support in conducting this study. Funding was provided by the Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Center for Urban Health and NIDA training grant (T32 DA 023356).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Global Public Health, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0507, La Jolla, CA, 92903-0507, USA

    Alexis M. Roth & Richard S. Garfein

  2. Divisions of Adolescent Medicine and Children’s Health Services Research, School of Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Devon J. Hensel, J. Dennis Fortenberry & Sarah E. Wiehe

  3. Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA

    Jayleen K. L. Gunn

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  1. Alexis M. Roth
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Correspondence to Alexis M. Roth.

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Roth, A.M., Hensel, D.J., Fortenberry, J.D. et al. Feasibility and Acceptability of Cell Phone Diaries to Measure HIV Risk Behavior Among Female Sex Workers. AIDS Behav 18, 2314–2324 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-014-0718-y

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