Open AccessUsability, acceptability, and self-reported impact of an innovative hepatitis C risk reduction intervention for men have sex with men: A mixed methods study
Author(s) -
Tamara Prinsenberg,
Joël Illidge,
Paul Zantkuijl,
Maarten Bedert,
Maria Prins,
Marc van der Valk,
Udi Davidovich
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0263654
Subject(s) - men who have sex with men , psychological intervention , medicine , toolbox , usability , intervention (counseling) , ehealth , hepatitis c , environmental health , health care , family medicine , nursing , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , immunology , syphilis , computer science , programming language , economic growth , human–computer interaction , economics
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination among men who have sex with men (MSM) is unlikely to be feasible without effective behavioural interventions. We developed a multilevel intervention to reduce HCV transmission among MSM in Amsterdam. The intervention includes a toolbox to facilitate risk reduction among MSM and support health care professionals in risk reduction counselling. To assess the use of the toolbox and its impact on behavior, we conducted a mixed-methods study. We collected data through online questionnaires (n = 49), and in-depth interviews with MSM at risk of HCV (n = 15) and health care professionals (n = 7). We found that the toolbox has been well received by MSM, increased awareness of HCV risks and has facilitated preventive behaviours and risk-reduction communication with peers. Professionals reported the toolbox to be a useful aid for discussions about HCV risk and risk reduction strategies with their clients.