Dataset Information

Brief Report: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase HIV Knowledge and Testing Among Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To determine how weekly text messages and small incentives impact HIV knowledge and frequency of HIV testing among Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM) and transgender women (LTGW).

Design

Prospectively randomized participants into 2 intervention arms compared with a nonrandomized comparison group.

Setting

Bienestar, a primarily Latinx focused HIV service provider located across Los Angeles County.

Subjects, participants

Two hundred eighteen participants self-identifying as LSMM or LTGW, HIV negative, having regular mobile phone access, ≥18 years, and fluent in English or Spanish.

Intervention

The "information only" (IO) group received text messages with HIV prevention information. The "information plus" (IP) group additionally could win incentives by answering weekly quiz questions correctly and testing for HIV once every 3 months. We followed participants for 12 months.

Main outcome measure(s)

HIV knowledge and frequency of HIV testing.

Results

We found no effect on HIV knowledge in the IO group but a statistically significant improvement in the IP group (79.2%-88.1%; P = 0.007). The frequency of HIV testing was higher in both intervention groups relative to the comparison group: On average, 22.0% of IO participants and 24.9% of IP participants tested at a Bienestar site within a given 3-month period, compared with 13.0% in the comparison group. This represents unadjusted relative risk ratios of 1.69 for the IO group (95% CI: 1.25 to 2.1; P < 0.01) and 1.91 for the IP group (95% CI: 1.51 to 2.31; P < 0.01), respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that a simple, low-cost intervention may help increase HIV testing frequency among LSMM and LTGW, 2 groups at high HIV risk.

SUBMITTER: MacCarthy S

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9196049 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Brief Report: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase HIV Knowledge and Testing Among Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

MacCarthy Sarah S Wagner Zachary Z Barreras Joanna L JL Kim Alice A Menodza-Graf Alexandra C AC Giguere Rebecca R Carballo-Dieguez Alex A Linnemayr Sebastian S

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) 20201001 2

<h4>Objective</h4>To determine how weekly text messages and small incentives impact HIV knowledge and frequency of HIV testing among Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM) and transgender women (LTGW).<h4>Design</h4>Prospectively randomized participants into 2 intervention arms compared with a nonrandomized comparison group.<h4>Setting</h4>Bienestar, a primarily Latinx focused HIV service provider located across Los Angeles County.<h4>Subjects, participants</h4>Two hundred eighteen participants self- ...[more]

PMID: 32931684

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundWe developed a novel intervention that uses behavioral economics incentives and mobile-health text messages to increase HIV knowledge and testing frequency among Latinx sexual minority men and Latinx transgender women. Here we provide a theoretically-grounded assessment regarding the intervention's acceptability and feasibility.MethodsWe conducted 30-min exit interviews with a stratified sample of participants (n = 26 Latinx sexual minority men, 15 Latinx transgender women), supplemented with insights from study staff (n = 6). All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and translated for a content analysis using Dedoose. Cohen's Kappa was 89.4% across coded excerpts. We evaluated acceptability based on how participants cognitively and emotionally reacted to the intervention and whether they considered it to be appropriate. We measured feasibility based on resource, scientific and process assessments (e.g., functionality of text messaging service, feedback on study recruitment procedures and surveys).ResultsRegarding acceptability, most participants clearly understood the intervention as a program to receive information about HIV prevention methods through text messages. Participants who did not complete the intervention shared they did not fully understand what it entailed at their initial enrollment, and thought it was a one-time engagement and not an ongoing program. Though some participants with a higher level of education felt the information was simplistic, most appreciated moving beyond a narrow focus on HIV to include general information on sexually transmitted infections; drug use and impaired sexual decision-making; and differential risks associated with sexual positions and practices. Latinx transgender women in particular appreciated receiving information about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. While participants didn't fully understand the exact chances of winning a prize in the quiz component, most enjoyed the quizzes and chance of winning a prize. Participants appreciated that the intervention required a minimal time investment. Participants shared that the intervention was generally culturally appropriate. Regarding feasibility, most participants reported the text message platform worked well though inactive participants consistently said technical difficulties led to their disengagement. Staff shared that clients had varying reactions to being approached while being tested for HIV, with some unwilling to enroll and others being very open and curious about the program. Both staff and participants relayed concerns regarding the length of the recruitment process and study surveys.ConclusionsOur theoretically-grounded assessment shows the intervention is both acceptable and feasible.Trial registrationThe trial was registered on May 5, 2017 with the ClinicalTrials.gov registry [ NCT03144336 ].

Project description:BackgroundSquamous cell carcinoma of the anus (SCCA) annual incidence among sexual minority men with and without HIV is 85/100,000 and 19/100,000 persons, respectively, which is significantly higher than the overall incidence (2/100,000). Incidence may also be higher in transgender women. Since SCCA tumours average ≥30 mm at diagnosis, we assessed the accuracy of individuals to self-detect smaller anal abnormalities.MethodsUsing convenience sampling, the study enrolled sexual minority men and transgender women, aged 25-81 years, in Chicago, Illinois and Houston, Texas, USA, during 2020-2022. Individuals were taught the anal self-examination and anal companion examination (ASE/ACE). Then, a clinician performed a digital anal rectal examination (DARE) before participants conducted the ASE or ACE. The sensitivity, specificity and concordance of the ASE/ACE to detect an abnormality were measured along with factors associated with ASE/ACE and DARE concordance.FindingsAmong 714 enrolled individuals, the median age was 40 years (interquartile range, 32-54), 36.8% (259/703) were living with HIV, and 47.0% (334/710), 23.4% (166/710), and 23.0% (163/710) were non-Hispanic white, non-Hispanic Black, and Hispanic, respectively. A total of 94.1% (671/713) identified as cisgendered men, and 5.9% (42/713) as gender minorities. A total of 658 participants completed an ASE and 28 couples (56 partners) completed an ACE. Clinicians detected abnormalities in 34.3% (245/714) of individuals. The abnormalities were a median of 3 mm in diameter. Sensitivity and specificity of the ASE/ACE was 59.6% (95% CI 53.5-65.7%) and 80.2% (95% CI 76.6-83.8%), respectively. Overall concordance was 0.73 (95% CI 0.70-0.76) between ASE/ACE and DARE and increased with increasing anal canal lesion size (p = 0.02). Concordance was lower when participants were older and received ASE/ACE training from a lay person rather than a clinician.InterpretationSexual minority men/transgender women may self-detect SCCA when malignant lesions are much smaller than the current mean dimension at presentation of ≥30 mm.FundingNational Cancer Institute.

Dataset Information

Brief Report: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase HIV Knowledge and Testing Among Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

Objective

Design

Setting

Subjects, participants

Intervention

Main outcome measure(s)

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Brief Report: Using Behavioral Economics to Increase HIV Knowledge and Testing Among Latinx Sexual Minority Men and Transgender Women: A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study.

Similar Datasets

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