(P129) HIV Empathy, Education & Empowerment (HIVE3): Feasibility and Acceptability ofMobile-App Based Peer Support for HIV Positive Men who have Sex with Men

BACKGROUND

HIV prevalence of MSM in Ghana in high.
Accra = 33%; kumasi = 19%
There is a high prevalence of HIV stigma in Ghana.In prior study of MSM(N=127) in Ghana, the majority of the sample felt that most people in their community attribute shame, disgust and dishonor to HIV.There is believe that MSM with HIV deserved it.
These stigmas intersect and can lead to social isolation.
Peer support interventions have shown promise for reducing social isolation.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of peer-support for HIV+ MSM delivered via a smartphone based application.

INTERVENTION

Client Centered Community Care Coordination (C5)
- Self-determination Theory based
-Secure web-based platform
-Optimized for use on all Android and IOS operating systems
- Clients can be directly linked to care with a network of service providers via the app
- HIV Empowerment, Education and Empathy (HIVE3)
- Peer support component of C5 mobile app intervention grounded in Dennis Peer-Support Model which identifies three types of support.
-Informational support: fasts first
-Emotional support: I'm here and i care!
-Affirmational support: Your Life matters
-HIVE3 delivered by peer-mentors identified through local community agency in Accra
-Peer mentors provided with standardized training by research staff
-The peers self-selected avatars.Peer mentors did not know the identity of their assigned peer.

METHODS

Study design and setting
Non-randomized,longitudinal pilot feasibility trial based in Accra (Tesano and Osu)
Participants and Recruitment (N=16)

ADULT MSM (N=16)

Recruitment by trained research staff at local NGO
Confirmed HIV seropositive using rapid point -of-care screening test
Each Person issued one smartphone pre-programmed with HIVE3 app

DURATION: 10 Months (2017) Each participant enrolled in the study for 60 days

MEASURES: Feasibility assessed by frequency of chats ( < 1) initiated with peer mentor
Acceptability assessed by peer support evaluation inventory.

ETHICAL CLEARANCE: KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTOR

FINDINGS

Mean Age: 27.85 years
43% were 25 years old or younger
Feasibility: 85% used app
Acceptability: 4 Peer Support Evaluation Inventory subscales

HIV+ MSM willing to use app based peer support
Participants appreciated the Mentors had access to registered Nurse