“Whenever you need support, you first turn to the group”

Motivations and functions of WhatsApp groups for youth living with HIV

Bibliographic Data

ID19438534
AuthorsElise Healy (0000-0003-4408-5002, University of Washington), Gabrielle O’Malley (0000-0002-7514-8240, University of Washington), Cyrus Mugo (0000-0001-7516-2168, University of Washington), Anne Kaggiah (0000-0002-7529-3093, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya), David Seeh (0000-0001-8761-6745, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya), Alex Muriithi (Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya), Alana R Lopez (University of Washington), Manasi Kumar (0000-0002-9773-8014, Department of Psychiatry, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya), Brandon L Guthrie (0000-0002-2059-3291, University of Washington), Brandon Guthrie (University of Washington), Megan A Moreno (0000-0003-2767-0787, University of Wisconsin–Madison), Megan Moreno (University of Wisconsin–Madison), Grace John-Stewart (University of Washington), Grace John‐Stewart (0000-0002-4301-1573, University of Washington), Irene Inwani (0000-0002-4912-1028, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya), Keshet Ronen (0000-0001-5625-4884, University of Washington, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume35
Issue3
Pages437-446
Publication date2023-03-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2022.2088680
PMID35761786
OpenAlexW4283645908
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited22

Social support is a critical component of achieving positive health outcomes for youth living with HIV (YLWH). Mobile health (mHealth) has significant potential for providing social support to YLWH. However, little is known about the domains of social support most needed by YLWH which mHealth interventions might address. Drawing on the spontaneous creation of WhatsApp support groups by YLWH in Nairobi, Kenya, we characterized Kenyan YLWH's social support needs and potential roles of social media groups in meeting them. We conducted interviews and focus-groups with 68 YLWH, 24 caregivers and 20 healthcare workers, and observed two YLWH-led WhatsApp groups for 6 weeks. Youth reported that existing support systems, including family and healthcare workers, already provided informational and instrumental support. However, they emphasized unmet companionship and emotional support needs, leading to isolation, hopelessness, and medication adherence challenges. Participants identified connection with other YLWH as a unique source of emotional and companionship support that allowed them to feel more secure and less isolated. Interviews and observed WhatsApp chats demonstrated that WhatsApp groups were a desirable medium for companionship support that overcame barriers to in-person connection

Emotional support · Focus group · Health care · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Kenya · mHealth · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Social isolation · Social media · Social support · Sociology · Support group · World Wide Web · Computer Science · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · ICT in Developing Communities · Mobile Health and mHealth Applications · Psychology · Social Psychology

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