Willingness of joining online support groups among men who have sex with men living with HIV in Shandong Province of China: A mixed methods study.

Abstract

Online support groups afford new opportunities to help individuals affected by HIV/AIDS to seek social support from peers. The study aimed to understand the willingness and associated factors of joining online support groups among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. The study followed a mixed method approach, with qualitative in-depth interviews followed by a quantitative cross-sectional survey in three cities of Shandong Province, China from 2019 to 2020. The in-depth interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic approach. In the quantitative analysis, explanatory variables included sociodemographic, behavioral, clinical, psychological, and demand factors. Univariate and multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associated factors of willing to join online support groups. A total of 576 and 20 participants were included in the quantitative survey and qualitative interviews, respectively. Only 24.7% (142/576) of participants in the quantitative study were willing to join the online support group. Multivariable analysis showed the associated factors included income level, sexual orientation and availability of information. The barriers to joining online support groups included privacy disclosure concern and psychological pressure exposed to HIV-related information. Facilitators included information acquisition, mutual medication reminding, and emotional support. MSM living with HIV in China had relatively low willingness to join the online support groups. This study highlighted the importance of safeguarding privacy, involving professional mental health providers, and providing high-quality information when establishing online support groups for people living with HIV.