Evaluating an Internet-based behavioral intervention to decrease risk behaviors for HIV acquisition among MSM in Peru

Abstract

El objetivo de este estudio transversal fue reunir información entre hombres que tienen sexo con hombres (HSH) con respecto a sus preferencias al buscar información de salud sexual y relacionada a prevención del VIH en la Internet. 1,160 HSH peruanos, mayores de 18 años, completaron una encuesta en línea alojada en www.tunexo.org. La edad media fue de 26.8 años. Alrededor del 90 % tenía educación post secundaria. La prevalencia de VIH auto reportada fue del 12,3 %. La aceptabilidad del contenido de salud sexual fue mayor en el grupo con mayor nivel educativo. Los temas y servicios de mayor interés fueron aquellos relacionados con la mejora de la salud sexual y mental. El grupo menos educado estaba significativamente más interesado en “recibir mensajes de prevención en el celular“ en comparación con los hombres con el nivel más alto de educación (71% frente a 52%; p <0,001). Los temas de salud sexual masculina fueron de mayor interés para el grupo de 30-39 años en comparación con el grupo de 18-24 años (97 % frente a 87 %; p = 0,005). Futuras intervenciones realizadas a través de Internet para mejorar la salud sexual de HSH en Perú se deben adaptar para satisfacer sus preferencias y conseguir un mejor impacto.

Objectives: Internet has emerged as a promising tool for delivering HIV and STI prevention interventions to MSM in Peru. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to gather information among MSM regarding their preferences when seeking sexual health information on the web. Methods: Between January and April 10th, 2010, we recruited 1, 160 MSM, online and offline, who completed an online anonymous survey hosted on www.tunexo.org. Results: The mean age of respondents was 26.8 years (range: 18-59). Around 90% had post-high school education. More than 90% were from the Lima Metropolitan area (Lima and Callao). 79% of subjects were recruited online. Self-reported HIV prevalence was 8.1%. “No previous HIV test” was reported by 32% of respondents and only 31% had been tested in the last 6 months. High risk sexual behavior was reported by 41.9%. Searching the internet for sexual health topics was a common activity, with 58% of respondents reporting this activity in the prior 6 months. Acceptability of images and specific language was lower in the least educated group. Preferences for topics and services varied by level of education, with more highly educated subjects preferring information about “How to be a better lover” and “Aging as a gay man”; and MSM with less education preferring to receive prevention messages via cell phone. Preferences for topics varied by age groups for the following: “Finding a stable partner” and “Men’s physical sexual health”. Conclusions: MSM were interested in web-based prevention messages to improve their sexual health. They chose 16 topics and 14 services that most interested them and ranked acceptability of specific images and idiomatic language they preferred for conveying sexual health information. Future web-and cell-based interventions related to sexual health among targeted groups of MSM in Peru can be tailored to meet the preferences for topics, services and format.