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. 2010 Jan-Feb;125 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):29-37.
doi: 10.1177/00333549101250S105.

A pilot intervention utilizing Internet chat rooms to prevent HIV risk behaviors among men who have sex with men

Scott D Rhodes  1 , Kenneth C Hergenrather, Jesse Duncan, Aaron T Vissman, Cindy Miller, Aimee M Wilkin, Jason Stowers, Eugenia Eng
Affiliations

A pilot intervention utilizing Internet chat rooms to prevent HIV risk behaviors among men who have sex with men

Scott D Rhodes et al. Public Health Rep. 2010 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Objectives: Chat room-based prevention interventions for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are being implemented to reduce the risk of HIV exposure, infection, and re-infection among men who have sex with men (MSM).

Methods: Our community-based participatory research partnership implemented a chat room-based intervention known as Cyber-Based Education and Referral/Men for Men (CyBER/M4M). We collected both quantitative and qualitative data to describe the characteristics of chat-room participants ("chatters") and their HIV risks and prevention needs, and to document intervention delivery.

Results: Of the 1,851 chatters who participated in the 18-month intervention, 210 completed the online assessment. The mean age was 30 years. Although the majority self-identified as gay, 25.8% self-identified as bisexual. More than half self-identified as white and one-third as black or African American. A total of 8.6% reported being HIV-positive and 14.8% reported never having been tested for HIV. Grounded theory analysis of transcripts from chat-room instant-message discussions identified 13 thematic categories related to chatter characteristics, prevention needs, and intervention delivery. Chatters were looking for sexual partners, were not open about their orientation, lacked basic information about HIV, had questions about how to be tested, and perceived a lack of general community resources to meet their needs. Furthermore, CyBER educators had to understand and respect the online culture, build trust, and deliver well-crafted and focused messages.

Conclusions: Chat room-based interventions hold promise to systematically reach Internet communities of MSM, a group that is particularly at risk for infection with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Roles and responsibilities of CyBER educators, Cyber-Based Education and Referral/Men for Men intervention, North Carolina, 2004–2005
Figure 2
Figure 2
Qualitative thematic categories related to chatter characteristics, prevention needs, and intervention delivery, Cyber-Based Education and Referral/Men for Men intervention, North Carolina, 2004–2005
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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