Text Messaging and Disaster Preparedness Aids Engagement, Re-Engagement, Retention, and Communication Among Puerto Rican Participants in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Self-Testing Study After Hurricanes Irma and Maria
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Hurricanes can interrupt communication, exacerbate attrition, and disrupt participant engagement in research. We used text messaging and disaster preparedness protocols to re-establish communication, re-engage participants, and ensure retention in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) self-test study. METHODS: Participants were given HIV home test kits to test themselves and/or their non-monogamous sexual partners before intercourse. A daily text message-based short message service computer-assisted self-interview (SMS-CASI) tool reminded them to report 3 variables: (1) anal sex without a condom, (2) knowledge of partners' testing history, and (3) proof of partners' testing history. A disaster preparedness protocol was put in place for hurricanes in Puerto Rico. We analyzed 6315 messages from participants (N = 12) active at the time of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Disaster preparedness narratives were assessed. RESULTS: All participants were able to communicate sexual behavior and HIV testing via SMS-CASI within 30 days following María. Some participants (n = 5, 42%) also communicated questions. Re-engagement within 30 days after the hurricane was 100% (second week/89%, third week/100%). Participant re-engagement ranged from 0-16 days (average = 6.4 days). Retention was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Daily SMS-CASI and disaster preparedness protocols helped participant engagement and communication after 2 hurricanes. SMS-CASI responses indicated high participant re-engagement, retention, and well-being.
DOI: 10.1017/dmp.2020.25
Institutions: San Francisco General Hospital, University of California, San Francisco, New York State Psychiatric Institute, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, The Graduate Center, CUNY, City University of New York, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, Syracuse University, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Institutes of Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Awards: Rapid Home Test to Reduce Sexual Risk Behavior in MSM and Transgender Women, Addressing disparities in chronic disease with a teen and young adult focus, The Next Frontier in Diabetes Communication: Promoting Health Literacy in the Era of Secure Messaging, G45583507, Integrated University of Puerto Rico Clinical Trials Unit, Developing Tailored Delivery and Adherence Interventions for use of Long-Acting Biomedical HIV Prevention Strategies by Transgender Women, Creating Community Driven, Personalized Health Maps for Patients with Diabetes, Training in Biomedical Informatics at Columbia University, Institutional Career Development Core, HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies
OpenAlex ID: W3014478422