{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Use of Smartphones for Social and Sexual Networking among Transgender Women in South India: Implications for Developing Smartphone-based Online HIV Prevention Interventions.
{Author}: Shunmugam M;Chakrapani V;Kumar P;Mukherjee D;Madhivanan P;
{Journal}: Indian J Public Health
{Volume}: 67
{Issue}: 4
{Year}: 2023 Oct 1
{Factor}: 2.219
{DOI}: 10.4103/ijph.ijph_1717_22
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Smartphone use is increasing among transgender women (TGW), including those who engage in sex work. Current government-supported HIV prevention interventions focus on physical venue-based outreach among TGW, missing the opportunity to reach them through smartphone-based interventions.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>We examined the use of smartphones among TGW, especially in relation to social and sexual networking, and explored their perspectives on their willingness to use smartphone-based HIV prevention interventions.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Through an exploratory descriptive-interpretive qualitative research design, we conducted 6 focus groups with a purposive sample of 30 TGW (70% in sex work) and 4 key informant in-depth interviews in Chennai and Hyderabad, India. Data were explored using framework analysis.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Through smartphones, TGW used social media (e.g., WhatsApp and Facebook) and dating applications for socialization, meeting sexual partners, and entertainment. Low-literacy TGW used voice or video messaging. TGW expressed interest in receiving short health-related videos and text messages on HIV, mental health, and gender transition.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>At-risk TGW could potentially be reached through smartphone-based online health promotion interventions, but those interventions need to be holistic - moving beyond HIV.