Asa Radix

This poster discussion session presented on innovative ways to engage individuals in HIV prevention using social media, phone apps and online-based tools. The interventions addressed sexual behaviors, condom use, PrEP adherence and HIV offline and self-testing. Technology-based interventions were acceptable to hard-to-reach populations including young MSM and transgender women.

Chattiya Nitpolprasert (Thailand) discussed online time-based videos to deliver HIV/STI prevention sessions, resulting in reductions in high risk behaviors and higher rates of condom usage. Sara Legrand (USA) described a smartphone app to aid PrEP adherence among YMSM and YTWSM. The app incudes adherence counseling delivered via two-way text messaging. Lord-Art Florenz Mercado Lomarda (Phillipines) presented on “SUCK.F*#K.TEST.REPEAT,” campaign delivered online, offline and gay-networking apps to promote testing. HIV testing increased >60% following the campaign. Xia Jin (China) described an innovative internet-based self-testing model reached MSM previously never screened. Thi Tham Tan (Vietnam) presented on a Facebook community that promoted HIV testing among MSM using online influencers and offline lay testers. Jureeporn Jantarapakde (Thailand) presented on different methods to provide counseling and testing to MSM and TGW. Individuals who opted for online counseling and testing had lower rates of linkage to ART compared to offline or mixed approaches.

Innovative technologies can successfully deliver HIV prevention interventions via online websites, social media and smartphone apps and are particularly useful at engaging hard-to-reach populations, especially YMSM and YTWSM. People reached through online counseling and testing may face more challenges with linkage to HIV treatment services after testing positive using on-line counseling and self-testing methods. Further investigation is needed to determine how to transition people from online HIV prevention services to offline care.