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侪变革代理（PCA）艾滋病毒预防干预措施奠定基础。我们的方法是通过识别候选PCA根据他们的结构位置在社会网络中，并补充传统的方法，利用人种学观察或专家意见。这种干预方法可以大大降低艾滋病毒的发病率，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PCA网络为基础的艾滋病毒预防干预措施一直是意见领袖（OL）模型或其变种。这些方法和其他PCA干预措施包括培训受欢迎的成员或同行从目标人群中，通过人际传播来促进艾滋病毒预防信息。然而，在不同环境中实施这些模式的尝试令人失望。鉴于所采用的方法和选择标准的异质性，关于PCA的选择标准的基本问题还有待于实证检验。有效性 OL模式的发展还受到几个因素的限制，包括网络评估不足，以及OL的公众地位，这通常要求她/他保持与现状的一致性，从而可能限制创新的采用。因此，确定那些谁连接跨群体（以下简称“桥接演员”），可能是一种替代/补充和有效的方式来使用网络信息，以加速行为变化，已经证明在工作场所和管理设置。 为了开发下一代PCA干预措施，我们通过以下具体目标来接近社交网络数据收集、网络分析和系统PCA选择中的差距：1）通过快速链接芝加哥南区YBMSM的Facebook好友列表的方法来表征通信网络。通信网络的特点是在最近的工作，使研究受访者（n=300）迅速产生一个大的连接MSM网络（n=3500）; 2）测量属性的MSM网络内的个人和二人组，包括社会人口统计学的领导/创新潜力，避孕套的沟通，和领带质量。这些个人和二元属性被认为是PCA的重要特征，并将通过自我报告和网络中其他人的报告来确定; 3）探索假设为PCA干预中位于中心（受欢迎）的个体和那些在目标1中生成的网络中处于桥接位置（链接不同群体）的个体的行为变化的基础的过程。我们将确定候选PCA（n=30）谁是根据他们的网络位置选择，并进行深入的定性访谈，以评估候选PCA的行为改变元素，被认为是重要的PCA为基础的干预措施：教育，社会支持，社会规范，自我效能和宣传。

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.