Acceptability and willingness among men who have sex with men (MSM) to use a tablet-based HIV risk assessment in a clinical setting

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jeb Jones, Emory University; Robert Stephenson, Emory University; Dawn K. Smith, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Lauren Toledo, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Allison La Pointe, Minnesota Department of Health; Jennifer Taussig, Emory University; Patrick Sullivan, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2014-12-02
• Publisher: SpringerOpen
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2014, Jones et al.; licensee Springer.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/2193-1801-3-708
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: SpringerPlus
• ISSN: 2193-1801
• Volume: 3
• Grant/Funding Information: This research was funded by the Center for AIDS Research at Emory University (P30AI050409).
• Keywords: HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS; Pre-exposure prophylaxis; Science & Technology; SCREENING BLOOD-DONORS; Multidisciplinary Sciences; PREVENTION; PHYSICIAN; PREEXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS; TRANSMISSION; HIV risk; INTERVIEW; HISTORY; COMMUNICATION; Science & Technology - Other Topics; Men who have sex with men; HIV risk assessment; UNITED-STATES
• Research Categories: Biology, Virology; Health Sciences, Public Health; Health Sciences, Epidemiology

Abstract

We developed an iPad-based application to administer an HIV risk assessment tool in a clinical setting. We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) with gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) to assess their opinions about using such a device to share risk behavior information in a clinical setting. Participants were asked about their current assessment of their risk or any risk reduction strategies that they discussed with their healthcare providers. Participants were then asked to provide feedback about the iPad-based risk assessment, their opinions about using it in a clinic setting, and suggestions on how the assessment could be improved. FGD participants were generally receptive to the idea of using an iPad-based risk assessment during healthcare visits. Based on the results of the FGDs, an iPad-based risk assessment is a promising method for identifying those patients at highest risk for HIV transmission.