Digital communication networks in men at risk for HIV

描述(由申请人提供)：本提案的目标是为下一代同行变革代理(PCA)艾滋病毒预防干预措施奠定基础。我们的方法是通过根据候选PCA在社会网络中的结构位置来确定候选PCA来指导的，并补充了利用人种学观察或专家意见的传统方法。这种干预方法可以极大地减少艾滋病毒发病率，并使我们更接近消除艾滋病毒。在过去的20年里，最广泛使用的基于PCA网络的艾滋病预防干预措施是意见领袖(OL)模型或其变体。这些方法和其他PCA干预措施包括培训目标人群中受欢迎的成员或同龄人，通过人际交流宣传艾滋病毒预防信息。然而，在不同环境下实施这些模式的尝试一直令人失望。鉴于所采用的方法和选择标准的异质性，关于项目组合选择标准的基本问题尚未得到实证检验。其有效性 在线模式的发展可能会受到若干因素的进一步限制，包括不充分的网络评估，以及在线的公共立场，这往往要求她/他保持与现状的一致性，从而可能限制创新的采用。因此，确定那些跨群体联系的人(下称“桥梁行为者”)可能是利用网络信息加速行为改变的一种替代/补充和有效方式，正如在工作场所和管理环境中所证明的那样。为了开发下一代PCA干预措施，我们通过以下具体目标解决社交网络数据收集、网络分析和系统PCA选择方面的差距：1)通过一种快速链接芝加哥南侧YBMSM的Facebook好友列表的方法来表征通信网络。交流网络的特征将与最近的工作一样，使研究受访者(n=300)迅速产生一个大型链接的MSM网络(n=3500)；2)测量MSM网络中个人和二人组的属性，包括社会人口统计学、领导力/创新潜力、避孕套沟通和领带品质。这些个体和二元属性被认为是PCA的重要特征，将由自我报告和网络中其他人的报告决定；3)探索假设的过程，以支持在目标1中产生的网络中处于中心位置(受欢迎的)个人和处于桥梁位置(连接不同群体)的PCA干预中的行为变化。我们将确定根据其网络位置选择的候选PCA(n=30)，并进行深入的定性访谈，以评估被认为对基于PCA的干预重要的候选PCA行为改变因素：教育、社会支持、社会规范、自我效能和倡导。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this proposal is to lay the foundation for the next generation of Peer Change Agent (PCA) HIV prevention interventions. Our approach is guided by identification of candidate PCAs according to their structural position within a social network and complements traditional approaches that utilize ethnographic observation or expert opinion. This intervention approach could dramatically reduce HIV incidence and bring us closer to HIV elimination. During the past 20 years, the most widely used PCA network based intervention for HIV prevention has been the opinion leader (OL) model or variants of it. These approaches and other PCA interventions include training popular members or peers from a target population to promote HIV prevention messages through interpersonal communication. Attempts to implement these models in diverse settings, however, have been disappointing. Fundamental questions, about the selection criteria for PCAs exist given the heterogeneity of approaches utilized and criteria for selection, has yet to be empirically tested. The effectiveness of the OL model can be further limited by several factors, including inadequate network assessments, and the OL's public position which often requires she/he maintain conformity to the status quo, thus potentially limiting innovation adoption. Consequently, identifying those who connect across groups (hereafter "bridging actors"), may be an alternative/complementary and efficient way to use network information to accelerate behavior change as has been demonstrated in workplace and management settings. In order to develop next generation PCA interventions, we approach gaps in social network data collection, network analysis and systematic PCA selection through the following Specific Aims: 1) Characterize a communication network through an approach that rapidly links Facebook friend lists of YBMSM on the South Side of Chicago. The communication network will be characterized as in recent work such that study respondents (n=300) rapidly generate a large linked MSM network (n=3500); 2) Measure attributes of individuals and dyads within the MSM network including sociodemographics leadership/innovation potential, condom communication, and tie qualities. These individual and dyadic attributes are believed to be important features of PCAs and will be determined by self-report and by report from others in the network; 3) Explore processes hypothesized to underlie behavior change in PCA interventions among both centrally located (popular) individuals and those who are in bridging positions (link distinct groups) within the network generated in Aim 1. We will identify candidate PCAs (n=30) who are selected based upon their network position and conduct in-depth qualitative interviews to assess candidate PCA behavior change elements that are considered to be important to PCA based interventions: education, social support, social norms, self-efficacy and advocacy.