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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Scott D. Rhodes, PhD, MPH, CHES, Department of Health Behavior and Education, University of North Carolina School of Public Health, 319D Rosenau Hall, Campus Box #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, 919/966-8650, scott_rhodes@unc.edu and John Glorioso, GLBT Health Educator, Metrolina AIDS Project, PO Box 32662, Charlotte, NC 28232.
Background: The increased use of Internet chat rooms among men who have sex with men (MSM) for sexual networking has lead to outbreaks of STDs among men who meet sexual partners online. We sought to evaluate the use of an online intervention that was initiated by an HIV/AIDS community-based organization (CBO) to reduce sexual risk.
Design: Metrolina AIDS Project (MAP) provides traditional HIV/AIDS care and prevention services within Charlotte, NC. MAP initiated an interactive, online educational intervention using two chat rooms frequented by MSM within their service provision region. We used content analysis of chat room discussions, and random review of chat room user profiles to explore the impact of this online intervention.
Results: Online discussions were classified into six themes, including: (1) sexual risk reduction, including ways to reduce risk from "barebacking"; (2) practical issues related to HIV antibody testing; (3) issues related to nonsexual social support; (4) referrals for youth resources; (5) issues related to "coming out;" and, (6) access to prevention materials and supplies. The anonymity promoted by the Internet; the interventionist's nonjudgmental communication; and, the interventionist's long established relationship with the men in the chat room contributed to the success of the intervention.
Conclusions: Because evidence suggests that the "digital divide" may not exist as profoundly within the gay community as within other communities, online interventions may reach individuals not reached in traditional venues. Because some MSM may the Internet for risky sexual networking, online interventions must be implemented. Our analyses are promising but preliminary. Further Internet research is necessary.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will be able to
Keywords: Internet, HIV Interventions
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: None