Barriers and Facilitators to HIV Testing Among Adolescents and Young Adults in Washington, District of Columbia: Formative Research to Inform the Development of an mHealth Intervention (Preprint)

• DOI: 10.2196/preprints.29196
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01T20:38:38Z
• Authors: Brittany Wilbourn; Tyriesa Howard-Ho...; Amanda Castel; Lawrence D'Angelo; Constance Trexler; Rashida Carr; Daniel Greenberg
• Keywords: Original Paper; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; 5. Gender equality; R; Medicine; 10. No inequality; 3. Good health

<sec> <title>BACKGROUND</title> Adolescents and young adults (AYA) in the United States, Washington, District of Columbia (DC), specifically, are disproportionately affected by HIV. Both national Ending HIV Epidemic initiative DC-specific plans emphasize testing, innovative strategies to encourage testing among AYA needed. </sec> <title>OBJECTIVE</title> The purpose this study is identify sexual behaviors, knowledge, perceptions (eg, susceptibility severity), perceived barriers facilitators at risk for DC. <title>METHODS</title> This was part a larger determine acceptability using life-and-dating simulation game increase AYA. Focus groups surveys stratified self-reported orientation were conducted among, administered to, aged 13-24 years knowledge explored during focus measured an adapted version Brief Knowledge Questionnaire. Survey data summarized descriptive statistics compared orientation. Transcripts thematically analyzed. <title>RESULTS</title> Of 46 who participated groups, 30 (65%) identified as heterosexual 16 (35%) lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer. A higher proportion queer reported activity (12/16, 75%, vs 18/30, 60%), condomless sex (11/12, 92%, 15/18, 83%), (13/16, 81%, 17/29, 58%) than prevention (“condoms” “...PrEP”) transmission (“exchange fluids”) high, most (34/44, 77%) beneficial. However, also demonstrated some misinformation concerning HIV: average 67% (31/46; SD 0.474) participants believed that test could deliver accurate results 1 week after potential exposure 72% (33/46; 0.455) vaccine exists. individual (“...people...are scared”), interpersonal (“it’s awkward conversation”), structural (“...people don’t...know where they can go”) testing. Most indicated very likely use prototype help with getting tested (median 3.0, IQR 2.0-3.0, scale ranging from 0 3, 3 indicating high likelihood) strongly agreed interesting 5.0, 5.0-5.0), fun 4.0-5.0), easy learn 5.0-5.0, 5, 5 strong agreement). <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> These suggest need multilevel interventions informed development mobile health intervention aiming perception AYA, while reducing levels, supporting efforts end domestic epidemic.