Abstract
BackgroundConsistent with young adults’ penchant for digital communication, young adults living with HIV use digital communication media to seek out health information. Understanding the types of health information sought online and the characteristics of these information-seeking young adults is vital when designing digital health interventions for them.ObjectiveThis study aims to describe characteristics of young adults living with HIV who seek health information through the internet. Results will be relevant to digital health interventions and patient education.MethodsYoung adults with HIV (aged 18-34 years) self-reported internet use during an evaluation of digital HIV care interventions across 10 demonstration projects in the United States (N=716). Lasso (least absolute shrinkage and selection operator) models were used to select characteristics that predicted whether participants reported seeking general health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information on the internet during the past 6 months.ResultsAlmost a third (211/716, 29.5%) and a fifth (155/716, 21.6%) of participants reported searching for general health and SRH information, respectively; 26.7% (36/135) of transgender young adults with HIV searched for gender-affirming care topics. Areas under the curve (>0.70) indicated success in building models to predict internet health information seeking. Consistent with prior studies, higher education and income predicted health information seeking. Higher self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence, substance use, and not reporting transgender gender identity also predicted health information seeking. Reporting a sexual orientation other than gay, lesbian, bisexual, or straight predicted SRH information seeking.ConclusionsYoung adults living with HIV commonly seek both general health and SRH information online, particularly those exploring their sexual identity. Providers should discuss the most commonly sought SRH topics and the use of digital technology and be open to discussing information found online to better assist young adults with HIV in finding accurate information. Characteristics associated with health information–seeking behavior may also be used to develop and tailor digital health interventions for these young adults.
Highlights
Interventions for young adults living with HIV (YALH) increasingly capitalize on the popularity and integration of digital communication media into daily routines
Almost a third (211/716, 29.5%) and a fifth (155/716, 21.6%) of participants reported searching for general health and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information, respectively; 26.7% (36/135) of transgender young adults with HIV searched for gender-affirming care topics
Young adults living with HIV commonly seek both general health and SRH information online, those exploring their sexual identity
Summary
Interventions for young adults living with HIV (YALH) increasingly capitalize on the popularity and integration of digital communication media into daily routines. Social media use has saturated the information landscape in the United States, with near-ubiquitous social media platform use among those younger than 30 years [1]. Consistent with their heavy use of digital forms of communication, youth and young adults use digital communication media to seek out personalized and pertinent health information [2]. Understanding the types of health information sought online and the characteristics of these information-seeking young adults, especially vulnerable or stigmatized populations, is vital when designing digital health interventions to reach these communities. Understanding the types of health information sought online and the characteristics of these information-seeking young adults is vital when designing digital health interventions for them
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