Yale University

HealthMpowerment.org: Building Community Though a Mobile-Optimized, Online Health Promotion Intervention.

TitleHealthMpowerment.org: Building Community Though a Mobile-Optimized, Online Health Promotion Intervention.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsHightow-Weidman, Lisa B., Kathryn E. Muessig, Emily C. Pike, Sara Legrand, Nina Baltierra, Alvin Justin Rucker, and Patrick Wilson
JournalHealth education & behavior : the official publication of the Society for Public Health Education
Date Published2015 Jan 14
ISSN1552-6127
AbstractBackground. Both young Black men who have sex with men as well as young Black transgender women (YBMSM/TW) continue to experience a significant increase in HIV incidence. HealthMpowerment.org (HMP) is a mobile phone-optimized, online intervention for both YBMSM/TW to build community and facilitate supportive relationships. Methods. To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary outcomes, a 1-month pilot trial of HMP among 15 YBMSM/TW was conducted. Results. Retention was 100%. Mean age was 26 years, 60% were HIV-infected, 87% earned <$21,000, and 67% were uninsured. Despite the small sample size and limited intervention length, statistically significant improvements were seen in social support (p = .012), social isolation (p = .050), and depressive symptoms (p = .045). Conclusion. The HMP pilot trial demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. Given the burden of the epidemic among YBMSM/TW, there is an imperative to develop, test, and scale up culturally appropriate interventions to both prevent HIV acquisition and limit onward transmission.
Alternate JournalHealth Educ Behav

External Links