Upload
yth
View
367
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Using Social and Mobile Media to Normalize HIV Testing
Among Teens
Ruth S. Buzi, LCSW, Ph.D. Peggy B. Smith, MA, Ph.D. Baylor College of Medicine
Teen Health Clinic
The Problem About 1 in 4 (26%) of all new HIV infections
are among youth ages 13 to 24 years. About 4 in 5 of these infections occur in males.
Nearly 60% of new infections in youth occur in African Americans, about 20% in Hispanics/Latinos, and about 20% in whites.
About 60% of youth with HIV do not know they are infected. These youth can also unknowingly pass HIV to others.
Young men are far more likely than young women to have HIV and are also less likely to get tested.
Barriers for HIV Testing Do not perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV exposure
Believe parental consent is required for HIV testing
Concerned about the breach of confidentiality
Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/ AIDS
The Possible Solution
Technology use among youth is very common
Web-based technology reach youth where they are
Social and Mobile technologies can be effective in normalizing HIV testing and may reduce the stigma associated with testing
Increase Testing
A comprehensive website provides science-based information on HIV and sites for testing
http://www.teenhealthclinic.org/ Ask Tiff, an avatar, allows teens to submit
queries-most are related to cost, parental consent and confidentiality
Text Messages
Updates on HIV are sent weekly (160 characters)
Examples: Today is National Women & Girls
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Know your status, stay safe & have a great spring break
February 7, 2013 is National Black HIV/AIDS. Time to get tested and involved in fighting HIV in our community
Social Network Sites-Potential Interaction http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baylor-
Teen-Health-Clinic/20063283236?ref=ts
https://twitter.com/BCMTeenClinic http://www.myspace.com/438103665
Webisodes
In collaboration with the University of
Houston, Webisodes were produced to communicate messages about HIV/STD prevention.
Caught Off Guard
Online Outreach
Established presence on Mingle2 and OkCupid sites to invite individuals for testing
Teens’ Input
Teens provided input on texts (out of 75): ◦ The information can keep me from catching
any STD or help prevent the spread of a STD. ◦ They are very useful. I take them into
consideration and share them with my family and friends and use it in my everyday life. ◦ They are very interesting and provide much
awareness! With people being so tied into cell phones text messages are a great tool.
Behavior/Attitude Change-Online Survey Out of the 349 participants, 228 answered the question, which is as follows; “How
likely will you be to change your attitudes/ actions regarding safe sex after looking at this website?” Out of this group, 66.7% answered “very likely”, 25.4% answered “undecided” and 7.9% answered “very unlikely”.
Next Steps
Renew Website with input from clients Add a feature “Ask Ty” to encourage
questions from males Add new social media sites In the process of working on new
Webisodes Continue to evaluate impact of initiatives
Contact
Ruth Buzi, Ph.D., [email protected] Peggy Smith, Ph.D., [email protected]
References
http://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/HIVAmongYouth/index.html