Understanding Community-based HIV/AIDS Service Organizations: An Invaluable Source of HPV-related Cancer Information...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Communication
• HIV/AIDS Research

Background:

• Non-clinical HIV service providers (NCHSPs) play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable populations, including people living with HIV (PLWH) and men who have sex with men (MSM).
• Understanding their function as information conduits is essential for effective health communication strategies.
• NCHSPs may act as surrogate seekers and health information mavens for the communities they serve.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe non-clinical HIV service providers (NCHSPs) as surrogate seekers and health information mavens.
• To assess their engagement with health information related to HIV/AIDS, STDs, cancer, and HPV.
• To evaluate their confidence and trust in various health information sources.

Main Methods:

• A survey of 30 NCHSPs from community-based HIV/AIDS service organizations was conducted in May/June 2016.
• Participants completed an 118-item self-administered survey on HPV, cancer, and health communication.
• Data were analyzed using Stata/SE 14.1.

Main Results:

• Nearly all NCHSPs (97%) acted as surrogate seekers, actively searching for information on HIV/AIDS, STDs, and cancer.
• Most (60%) cancer information seekers also sought information on HPV.
• The Internet and healthcare providers were the most trusted information sources (97%), and NCHSPs reported high confidence (93%) in their ability to find health information.
• NCHSPs demonstrated significantly high health information mavenism scores (mean 17.4 ± 2.1, p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

• NCHSPs actively seek and disseminate health information to vulnerable populations.
• Their role as health information mavens is significant, but further research is needed.
• Understanding NCHSPs' knowledge and perspectives on shared health information is crucial for optimizing health outcomes in at-risk communities.