Sponsor
This study was supported by the Fogarty International Center/National Institutes of Health (FIC/NIH) grant R01 TW008398 to Magaly Blas and QUIPU: The Andean Global Health Informatics Research and Training Center, a FIC/NIH funded grant D43TW008438-0109.
Published In
Open AIDS Journal
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2013
Subjects
Peru, Wireless communication systems in medical care, HIV-positive men, Internet in medicine
Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study is to identify features and content that short message service (SMS) should have in order to motivate HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Lima, Peru.
Methods: From October, 2010 to February, 2011, we conducted focus groups at two stages; six focus groups were conducted to explore and identify SMS content and features and two additional focus groups were conducted to tailor SMS content. The text messages were elaborated within the theoretical framework of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model and the Social Support Theory.
Results: A total of 62 individuals participated in the focus groups. The mean age of participants was 28 years (range 18-39). We identified important features and content items needed for the successful delivery of text messages, including: a) the use of neutral and coded language; b) appropriate frequency and time of delivery; c) avoiding mass and repetitive messages; and d) use of short, concise and creative messages. Although in Peru receiving text messages is usually a free service, it is important to remind participants that receiving messages will be free of charge.
Conclusion: Text messages can be used to promote HIV testing among Peruvian MSM. It is important to consider adequate frequency, message content and cost when delivering messages to promote HIV testing in this population.
DOI
10.2174/1874613601307010001
Persistent Identifier
http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/10488
Citation Details
Menacho, L., Blas, M., Alva, I., & Roberto Orellana, E. (2013). Short Text Messages to Motivate HIV Testing Among Men Who have Sex with Men: A Qualitative Study in Lima, Peru. The Open AIDS Journal, 71-6. doi:10.2174/1874613601307010001
Description
This is the publisher's final PDF. © Menacho et al.; Licensee Bentham Open. This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/ 3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.