Abstract
BackgroundMen who have sex with men (MSM) have the highest HIV prevalence in Peru, yet they are underserved by traditional preventive programs. In Peru, the Internet and mobile phones have emerged as an effective and convenient tool to reach this population.Methods and FindingsFrom October 2010 to February 2011, we conducted eight focus groups with gay identified MSM (closeted and out-of-the-closet) and with self-identified heterosexual MSM in order to identify key features and preferences to be used to tailor culturally-appropriate messages that could be delivered through Internet and mobile phones to motivate MSM to get tested for HIV. Participants reported that in order to motivate HIV testing among MSM, interventions need to be based on motivational messages that encourage participants to overcome the fear of getting tested. Messages should increase the HIV risk perception (of participants who do not consider themselves at risk) by eliciting risky situations experienced by MSM. Messages should emphasize confidentiality, respect and the professionalism of the personnel conducting the counseling and testing. A thorough explanation of the process of HIV testing and the steps to follow after receiving the results should be provided. Messages should also contain information about the venue where the test will be conducted in terms of client characteristics, location, hours of operation and personnel. Finally, stigmatizing and stereotyping messages or images about “being gay” should not be included, as they act as deterrents for getting tested.ConclusionsInterventions aimed at motivating HIV testing among MSM should include motivational messages that reduce the fear of getting tested and increase the risk perception of participants. They should also market the venue where the testing will be conducted, the professionals who will perform the tests, and the type of tests available. Stigmatizing messages or images should be avoided.
Highlights
In South America, most of the HIV epidemics are concentrated in and around networks of men who have sex with men (MSM) [1]
Interventions aimed at motivating HIV testing among Men who have sex with men (MSM) should include motivational messages that reduce the fear of getting tested and increase the risk perception of participants
Some of the factors contributing to the low frequency of HIV testing include the absence of tailored health promotion strategies that address specific reasons and fears that MSM have for not getting tested for HIV, as well as the limited number of MSM who are reached by traditional interventions [2,7]
Summary
In South America, most of the HIV epidemics are concentrated in and around networks of men who have sex with men (MSM) [1]. In Peru, sex between men represents the main route of HIV transmission [3,4,5]; the HIV prevalence among MSM in 2011 in the capital city of Lima was 12.4% [3]. A major barrier to HIV prevention efforts is a reported low frequency of HIV testing among MSM. Some of the factors contributing to the low frequency of HIV testing include the absence of tailored health promotion strategies that address specific reasons and fears that MSM have for not getting tested for HIV, as well as the limited number of MSM who are reached by traditional interventions (mostly through peer educators) [2,7]. Men who have sex with men (MSM) have the highest HIV prevalence in Peru, yet they are underserved by traditional preventive programs. In Peru, the Internet and mobile phones have emerged as an effective and convenient tool to reach this population
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