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

Health Educ Behav. 2015 Aug;42(4):493-9. doi: 10.1177/1090198114562043. Epub 2015 Jan 14.

Abstract

Background: 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.

Keywords: African American; men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM); mobile and wireless interventions; new media and social media interventions; tailored or targeted interventions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Black or African American / psychology
  • Cell Phone
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / prevention & control
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Humans
  • Internet*
  • Male
  • North Carolina / epidemiology
  • Pilot Projects
  • Social Isolation / psychology
  • Social Support*
  • Transgender Persons / psychology
  • Young Adult