This paper is in the following e-collection/theme issue:

UConn CHASM 6th Annual Conference 2022: "Telehealth and Remote Care in a Post-Pandemic World" (54)

Published on in Vol 8, No 1 (2022): Jan-Dec

Preprints (earlier versions) of this paper are available at https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/39372, first published .
Perspectives on Ethical Issues Around the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men

Perspectives on Ethical Issues Around the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men

Perspectives on Ethical Issues Around the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men

Authors of this article:

Antoine Khati1 Author Orcid Image ;   Roman Shrestha1 ;   Aviana Rosen1 ;   Jeffrey Luces2 ;   Jeffrey Wickersham3 ;   Iskandar Azwa4 ;   Mohd Akbar Ab Halim4
Article Authors Cited by Tweetations Metrics

    Abstract

    1Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, United States

    2College of Allied Medical Professions, University of the Philippines, Manila, Philippines

    3Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States

    4Faculty of Medicine, Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Corresponding Author:

    Roman Shrestha, MPH, PhD

    Department of Allied Health Sciences

    University of Connecticut

    Koons Hall, Room 304

    358 Mansfield Road, Unit 1101

    Storrs, CT, 06268

    United States

    Phone: 1 903 407 0387

    Email: roman.shrestha@uconn.edu


    Background: The use of smartphone apps can improve the HIV prevention cascade for key populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM). In Malaysia, where stigma and discrimination toward MSM are high, app-based strategies have the potential to open new frontiers for HIV prevention efforts. However, little guidance is available to inform researchers about ethical concerns unique to the development and implementation of app-based HIV prevention programs.

    Objective: This study aims to understand and characterize the attitudes and concerns of Malaysian MSM regarding HIV prevention mobile apps, particularly focusing on ethical aspects surrounding their use.

    Methods: We conducted online focus group discussions with 23 MSM between August and September 2021. Using in-depth semistructured interviews, participants were asked about their perceived risks, benefits, and ethical issues associated with using mobile apps for HIV prevention. Each session was digitally recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were inductively coded using Dedoose software and analyzed to identify and interpret emerging themes.

    Results: Overall, participants indicated a preference for using app-based strategies for HIV prevention efforts. Emerging themes on benefits related to app use for HIV prevention included convenience, anonymity (ability to remain anonymous while seeking care), less stigmatizing access to services (ability to avoid the burden and stigma of visiting an HIV clinic in person), readily accessible multimedia resources (eg, text, graphics, videos), and self-management portals (eg, medication adherence, appointment reminders). Prominent concerns raised by participants included privacy and confidentiality concerns, issues around personal health data storage and management, and fear of the Malaysian government accessing data.

    Conclusions: The findings from this study indicate that app-based strategies for HIV prevention efforts are acceptable among Malaysian MSM. The results further highlighted the role of ethical concerns and the associated risks and benefits related to the use of app-based HIV prevention programs. Given the ever-evolving nature of such technological platforms and the complex ethical and legal landscape, such platforms must be safe and secure to ensure widespread public trust and uptake.

    iproc 2022;8(1):e39372

    doi:10.2196/39372

    Keywords

    HIV; mHealth; mobile app; HIV prevention; MSM; privacy; confidentiality 

    Edited by S Pagoto; This is a non–peer-reviewed article. submitted 08.05.22; accepted 24.06.22; published 11.07.22

    Copyright

    ©Antoine Khati, Roman Shrestha, Aviana Rosen, Jeffrey Luces, Jeffrey Wickersham, Iskandar Azwa, Mohd Akbar Ab Halim. Originally published in Iproceedings (https://www.iproc.org), 11.07.2022.

    This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in Iproceedings, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on https://www.iproc.org/, as well as this copyright and license information must be included.