Yale University

HIV-infected Women's Perspectives on the Use of the Internet for Social Support: A Potential Role for Online Group-based Interventions.

TitleHIV-infected Women's Perspectives on the Use of the Internet for Social Support: A Potential Role for Online Group-based Interventions.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsBlackstock, Oni J., Pooja A. Shah, Lorlette J. Haughton, Keith J. Horvath, and Chinazo O. Cunningham
JournalThe Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care : JANAC
Date Published2014 Nov 20
ISSN1552-6917
AbstractWhile the development and implementation of HIV-related online interventions has expanded, few have been tailored for women or have leveraged Web 2.0's capabilities to provide social support. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 27 women with HIV at an urban community health center to understand their perspectives on the potential role of the Internet and the use of an online group format to provide social support. Data were analyzed using the constant comparative method. We identified six themes: a need for groups and increased sense of connectedness, convenience and accessibility, trust as a precondition for participating, online groups as a potential facilitator or barrier to expression, limited digital access and literacy, and privacy concerns. Overall, women were highly supportive of online group-based interventions but acknowledged the need for increased digital access and Internet navigation training. Hybrid (in-person and online) interventions may be most useful for women with HIV.
DOI10.1016/j.jana.2014.11.004
Alternate JournalJ Assoc Nurses AIDS Care

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