Reaching out to MSM through innovative, technology-led methods
"India started HIV prevention programmes in 1992 with the start of the National AIDS Control Programme (Phase 1). Since then, focus has mainly been on doing face-to-face outreach and interpersonal communication. While this has worked well with groups of female sex workers (mainly because of their socio-economic background and lack of access to technology though now increasingly mobile phone is being used to solicit clients), it has not worked well with significant number of MSM. This could be because most MSM have a higher mobility, and greater access to technology and other resources. The traditionally identified hot-spots (like railway stations, parks, cinema halls) have not been all-exhaustive and the traditional methods of outreach have not been enough to bring MSM in their purview. Anecdotal evidence suggests that a substantial number of MSM have used technology and spaces/places to connect such as chat rooms, social networking sites, mobile phones, parties, massage parlours, and even advertisements in the classified section of newspapers and these are the places that traditional prevention programmes have not been able to reach. Something is amiss in outreach and maybe that is the reason that HIV prevalence among MSM is still rising.
It would be useful to hear from programme planners and implementers alike about the innovative ways of doing outreach with MSM. Please share from your experiences of what has worked well and what has not. Discussion participants are encouraged to share any document – reports, abstracts, project summaries or briefs that can help build knowledge in this area of work."
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Copyright © 2010 India HIV/AIDS Alliance |
Reaching out to MSM through innovative, technology led methods
An interesting use of ICT for HIV prevention among MSM
A Case Study from the CEPEHRG and Maritime, GHANA- Engaging New Partners and New Technologies to Prevent HIV among MSM
Author: James Robertson, John Snow International
"Text Me! flash Me!" Helpline: The Helpline was staffed by employees of implementing partners and by HIV counsellors from government clinics. SHARP worked with a number of stakeholders to develop a training curriculum and provided ongoing support to the counsellors. The Helpline functioned during a set period of time each day, and callers would "flash" the counsellor on call, who could then phone back directly to answer questions, provide support, or share information about where to find services. Users were also able to send text inquiries that generated automated text responses on a variety of basic topics relevant to MSM health and well-being. In turn, the callers' cell numbers were recorded, with care taken to maintain confidentiality and protect their identities. Subsequently, these contacts were sent regular text message reminders about condom use, the need for testing, and the availability of the Helpline to answer questions or provide directions to clinics. (With clinics, even government-run clinics, tucked away in difficult-to-find places, someone seeking services could contact a Helpline counsellor both for directions to an MSM-friendly clinic and for the encouragement sometimes needed to get the caller inside to actually access services.)
In its first month, September 2008, the five initial counsellors spoke with 439 MSM callers for an average of 20 minutes each. Callers responded positively to the friendly tone of the service and its confidentiality. Notably, demand soon outstripped the availability of counsellors; nearly 1,000 flashes were missed because counsellors were busy with other callers. Furthermore, after the launch of the Helpline, implementing partners saw noticeable upticks in demand for HIV counselling and testing and STI diagnosis and treatment services. After the Helpline was initiated, there was a sixfold increase in the number of MSM who received STI services at CEPEHRG's drop-in centre.
The "what" of ICT
I think as gay and MSM communities mature, stratafication of social and sexual contact is inevitable and evolves over time. This stratification is to the largest extent (to my mind), based on issues of class. For the upper-middle and elite, use of technology is a real opportunity in reaching out to people with HIV-related messages.
However, this is not easy and we know that just information is not enough- in fact, quite contradictorily, most upper-middle and elite gay men have access to information. So what is also important to explore is what one wants to do with ICT for this section of the community, not just reach out to them with HIV prevention information they already have.