Text messaging to encourage uptake of HIV testing amongst African communities: findings from a theory based feasibility study

Evans, Catrin; Turner, K.; Blake, Holly; Juma, A.; Suggs, S.; Occa, A.

Abstract

Background: There is a public health need to tackle high levels of undiagnosed (or late diagnosed) HIV amongst the UK's African communities. This research aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of using a text messaging intervention to encourage uptake of HIV testing amongst this population in a UK city.

Methods: Participatory research adopting a mixed-methods design. Four distinct stages included:
[1] Formative Research: Six focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with diverse sections of the African community to assess perceptions about HIV and to inform message development (n=48). The Health Belief Model (HBM) was used as an organising framework for data analysis and interpretation.
[2] Message Development: SMS messages were developed based on HBM constructs, existing HIV campaigns and FGD findings, and tailored according to language, gender and religion. 12 HIV-related and 12 generic health-related text messages were developed and piloted using elicitation interview processes.
[3] Intervention and outcomes: 172 participants were recruited. They received 2 messages per week for 12 weeks. Data was collected in pre and post questionnaire surveys assessing uptake of HIV testing, HIV-related attitudes and knowledge and perceived general health.
[4] Evaluation: Acceptability and meaningfulness of the intervention were explored via semi-structured telephone interviews (n=21). Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.

Citation

Evans, C., Turner, K., Blake, H., Juma, A., Suggs, S., & Occa, A. (in press). Text messaging to encourage uptake of HIV testing amongst African communities: findings from a theory based feasibility study. HIV Medicine, 16(S2), https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.12265

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Online Publication Date: Apr 20, 2015
• Deposit Date: Nov 29, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 29, 2016
• Journal: HIV Medicine
• Print ISSN: 1464-2662
• Electronic ISSN: 1468-1293
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: S2
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/hiv.12265
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/749409
• Publisher URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hiv.12265/abstract
• Additional Information: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Text messaging to encourage uptake of HIV testing amongst African communities: Findings from a theory-based feasibility study /; C. Evans, K. Turner, H. Blake, A. Juma, S. Suggs, A. Occa (2015), Poster Abstracts. HIV Medicine, 16: 12–77. doi: 10.1111/hiv.12265, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/hiv.12265. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.