Engaging African American men in empirically based marriage enrichment programs: Lessons from two focus groups on the ProSAAM project.

2012 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tera R. Hurt ◽  
Steven R. H. Beach ◽  
LaTrena A. Stokes ◽  
Perdeta L. Bush ◽  
Kameron J. Sheats ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Marriage Enrichment ◽  
Enrichment Programs

scholarly journals A Realistic Talking Human Embodied Agent Mobile Phone Intervention to Promote HIV Medication Adherence and Retention in Care in Young HIV-Positive African American Men Who Have Sex With Men: Qualitative Study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Dworkin ◽  
Apurba Chakraborty ◽  
Sangyoon Lee ◽  
Colleen Monahan ◽  
Lisa Hightow-Weidman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Mobile Phone ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Behavioral Skills ◽  
African American Msm ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Embodied Agent

BACKGROUND Avatars and embodied agents are a promising innovation for human health intervention because they may serve as a relational agent that might augment user engagement in a behavioral change intervention and motivate behavioral change such as antiretroviral adherence and retention in care. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop a theory-driven talking avatar-like embodied agent mobile phone intervention guided by the information-motivation-behavioral skills model to promote HIV medication adherence and retention in care in young African American men who have sex with men (MSM). METHODS We performed 5 iterative focus groups in Chicago with HIV-positive African American MSM aged 18-34 years to inform the ongoing development of a mobile phone app. Participants for the focus groups were recruited from 4 University of Illinois at Chicago Community Outreach Intervention Project sites located in different high HIV incidence areas of the city and the University of Illinois at Chicago HIV clinic using fliers and word of mouth. The focus group data analysis included developing an ongoing list of priorities for app changes and discussion between two of the investigators based on the project timeline, resources, and to what extent they served the app’s objectives. RESULTS In this study, 16 men participated, including 3 who participated in two groups. The acceptability for an embodied agent app was universal in all 5 focus groups. The app included the embodied agent response to questions and antiretroviral regimen information, adherence tracking, CD4 count and viral load tracking, motivational spoken messages, and customizability. Concerns that were identified and responded to in the development process included privacy, stigma, avoiding the harsh or commanding tone of voice, avoiding negative motivational statements, and making reminder functions for a variety of health care interactions. CONCLUSIONS An avatar-like embodied agent mHealth approach was acceptable to young HIV-positive African American MSM. Its relational nature may make it an effective method of informing, motivating, and promoting health behavioral skills. Furthermore, the app’s ease of access, stigma-free environment, and audiovisual format may help overcome some adherence barriers reported in this population.

Challenges and Opportunities for HIV Prevention and Care: Insights From Focus Groups of HIV-Infected African American Men

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 3-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aaron G. Buseh ◽  
Patricia E. Stevens ◽  
Patricia McManus ◽  
Reverend Jim Addison ◽  
Sarah Morgan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Hiv Prevention ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

scholarly journals Male Peer Influence on African American Men’s Motivation for Physical Activity

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derek M. Griffith ◽  
Andrea King ◽  
Julie Ober Allen
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
African American ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
African American Men ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Peer Social Support ◽  
Primary Difference ◽  
Male Peer

Thematic analysis of data from nine exploratory focus groups conducted with 71 middle-aged and older African American men and eight focus groups with 77 key women in their lives revealed how social norms and modeling of physical activity influenced men’s motivation to exercise. Both men and women identified male peers as an important source of ideas, encouragement, and support to initiate and sustain physical activity, yet sedentary peers also could contribute to men being less motivated to be active. The primary difference in men’s and women’s perspectives was that men attributed their decline in activity levels to difficulties in finding time for physical activity, whereas women attributed sedentary lifestyles to an increase in men’s physical illnesses and ailments. Men’s participation in team sports and overall activity levels diminished with age. Peer social support can be critical for interventions to help African American men engage in and sustain physical activity.

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