title: Exploring Social Networking Technologies as Tools for HIV Prevention for Men Who Have Sex With Men.
abstract: Social networking technologies are influential among men who have sex with men (MSM) and may be an important strategy for HIV prevention. We conducted focus groups with HIV positive and negative participants. Almost all participants used social networking sites to meet new friends and sexual partners. The main obstacle to effective HIV prevention campaigns in social networking platforms was stigmatization based on homosexuality as well as HIV status. Persistent stigma associated with HIV status and disclosure was cited as a top reason for avoiding HIV-related conversations while meeting new partners using social technologies. Further, social networking sites have different social etiquettes and rules that may increase HIV risk by discouraging HIV status disclosure. Overall, successful interventions for MSM using social networking technologies must consider aspects of privacy, stigma, and social norms in order to enact HIV reduction among MSM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, University of Illinois Chicago.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramallo
authors.affiliation: World Health Clinicians, Norwalk, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kidder
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Tashuna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Albritton
authors.affiliation: World Health Clinicians, Norwalk, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Blick
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pachankis
authors.forename: Valen
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grandelski
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Valen
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Grandeleski
authors.affiliation: Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut.
authors.forename: Trace
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kershaw
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012747:Sexual Partners; D060756:Social Networking; D057545:Social Stigma