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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.

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Authors

Dr CATRIN EVANS CATRIN.EVANS@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Evidence Based Healthcare

K. Turner

Profile image of HOLLY BLAKE

HOLLY BLAKE holly.blake@nottingham.ac.uk
Professor of Behavioural Medicine

A. Juma

S. Suggs

A. Occa



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.
Contract Date Nov 29, 2016

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