Development and Evaluation of an Online Education-Entertainment Intervention to Increase Knowledge of HIV and Uptake of HIV Testing among Colombian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM).

Ana María Del Río-González,Yacid Estrada-Santiago,Fabián Betancourt,Paul J Poppen,Jorge Pacheco-Cabrales,Maria Cecilia Zea,Sarah K Calabrese

doi:10.3390/ijerph18041811

Ana María Del Río-González, Yacid Estrada-Santiago + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041811

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Abstract

Using a community-based participatory approach, we developed a film to promote HIV testing among young men who have sex with men (MSM) in Bogotá. Using a 5-step process to develop the intervention, we conducted 11 focus groups with MSM (n = 141) to receive community feedback at each step. To evaluate the intervention we recruited 300 young MSM to complete a baseline survey in December 2017. Between February–June 2018, 63 participants watched the film and completed a post-viewing survey, which showed the intervention was acceptable for the target population. Between August–December 2018, 48 MSM who watched the film and 47 who did not (control group) completed a follow-up survey. To obtain preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the intervention, we assessed the main effect of time (baseline vs. follow-up) and the interaction between time and group (intervention vs. control) on HIV testing uptake and intentions, and knowledge of HIV transmission dynamics and HIV-related rights. Knowledge of HIV rights increased from baseline to follow-up in the intervention group only. HIV Knowledge increased for both groups. HIV testing intentions increased significantly more for non-gay-identified men in the intervention group, but the overall effect of the intervention was not significant. Testing uptake did not change.

Highlights

As in many low- and middle-income countries, Colombian cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a group at high risk for HIV, with a prevalence of 17% for this group in 2011 [1]
Compared to participants in the control group, participants invited to the intervention group were more likely to identify as cisgender men (χ2 = 8.39, p = 0.015), and had higher knowledge of HIV transmission dynamics (t(273) = 2.39; p = 0.014) and HIV-related rights (t(273) = 2.03; p = 0.044)
Our second aim was to assess the effects of the film on HIV testing intentions and behavior, and knowledge of HIV transmission dynamics and HIV-related rights, and to explore whether these effects were moderated by sexual orientation or HIV testing history

Summary

Introduction

As in many low- and middle-income countries, Colombian cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) constitute a group at high risk for HIV, with a prevalence of 17% for this group in 2011 [1]. In Bogotá, prevalence of HIV ranged from 12% to 15% in two large samples of MSM [1,2]. Awareness of HIV status is critical for halting the epidemic, but HIV testing among Colombian MSM is low. We conducted a survey in Bogotá in 2011–2012 and found that 50% of MSM had never tested for HIV [3]. Colombian cities, where estimates of untested MSM ranged from 59% to 86% [1]. Increased detection and treatment of HIV are crucial goals, because these actions can reduce new transmissions and enable earlier treatment and thereby better health outcomes [4,5,6]

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