Wiidookaage'Win: A Community-Based Qualitative Approach to Developing a Facebook Group Intervention for Native Women...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health
• Substance Use Disorders

Background:

• Opioid use disorder (OUD) disproportionately affects American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) women.
• Culturally specific interventions are crucial for effective OUD treatment and recovery support.
• Social media platforms offer potential for accessible and scalable support networks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a culturally tailored Facebook group intervention for AI/AN women in opioid recovery.
• To integrate evidence-based content with AI/AN cultural elements to support recovery.
• To explore preferences for social media interventions among AI/AN women and stakeholders.

Main Methods:

• A community-based, qualitative approach was employed in Minnesota.
• Content analysis of interviews informed intervention development.
• A Community Advisory Committee (CAC) of AI/AN women guided the study.

Main Results:

• AI/AN women and interested parties showed receptiveness to a gender-specific Facebook group.
• Preferred content included AI/AN cultural elements, family, personal stories, and historical trauma.
• Key recommendations included protecting confidentiality, maintaining positivity, providing coping resources, and using authentic moderators.

Conclusions:

• This study provides a model for creating culturally tailored social media interventions for AI/AN women in OUD recovery.
• Culturally specific content and trusted moderators are vital for engagement and effectiveness.
• The developed Facebook group model can enhance recovery support for this population.