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Social Determinants of Potential eHealth Engagement Among People Living with HIV Receiving Ryan White Case Management: Health Equity Implications from Project TECH

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Abstract

Objectives

Evaluate the relationships between social characteristics of Floridian persons living with HIV (PLWH) and both use of digital technologies and willingness to use eHealth for HIV-related information.

Methods

Ryan White case managers (N = 155) from 55 agencies in 47 Florida counties administered a survey to PLWH (N = 1268) from June 2016-April 2017. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to identify correlates of technology use and willingness.

Results

Use of mobile phones with text messaging was high (89%). Older (vs. younger) adults and non-Hispanic blacks (vs. whites) were less likely to use most technologies. These groups, along with Hispanics (vs. whites) were less likely to express willingness to use technologies for HIV-related information in models adjusting for use.

Conclusions

Among PLWH in Florida, eHealth-related inequities exist. Willingness to engage in HIV-related eHealth is affected by social determinants, even when considering technology access. Although eHealth may reduce some healthcare inequities, it may exacerbate others.

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Acknowledgements

This project was funded by NIH Award # 5R21MH108468-02, Research Towards Implementing Technology-Based Prevention with Positives.

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Marhefka, S.L., Lockhart, E., Turner, D. et al. Social Determinants of Potential eHealth Engagement Among People Living with HIV Receiving Ryan White Case Management: Health Equity Implications from Project TECH. AIDS Behav 24, 1463–1475 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-019-02723-1

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