title: Social networking technologies as an emerging tool for HIV prevention: a cluster randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Social networking technologies are an emerging tool for HIV prevention.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether social networking communities can increase HIV testing among African American and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, controlled trial with concealed allocation. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01701206).
  
  
  METHODS
  Online.
  
  
  METHODS
  112 MSM based in Los Angeles, more than 85% of whom were African American or Latino.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen peer leaders were randomly assigned to deliver information about HIV or general health to participants via Facebook groups over 12 weeks. After participants accepted a request to join the group, participation was voluntary. Group participation and engagement were monitored. Participants could request a free, home-based HIV testing kit and completed questionnaires at baseline and 12-week follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participant acceptance of and engagement in the intervention and social network participation, rates of home-based HIV testing, and sexual risk behaviors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Almost 95% of intervention participants and 73% of control participants voluntarily communicated using the social platform. Twenty-five of 57 intervention participants (44%) requested home-based HIV testing kits compared with 11 of 55 control participants (20%) (difference, 24 percentage points [95% CI, 8 to 41 percentage points]). Nine of the 25 intervention participants (36%) who requested the test took it and mailed it back compared with 2 of the 11 control participants (18%) who requested the test. Retention at study follow-up was more than 93%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Only 2 Facebook communities were included for each group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Social networking communities are acceptable and effective tools to increase home-based HIV testing among at-risk populations.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  National Institute of Mental Health.
authors.forename: Sean D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Cumberland
authors.forename: Sung-Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Devan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jaganath
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szekeres
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Coates
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D060756:Social Networking; D047568:Unsafe Sex
chemical_list: D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
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