Opportunities for technologically driven dialogical health communication for participatory interventions: Perspectives from male peer navigators in rural South Africa

Andrew Gibbs; Dumsani Gumede; Manono Luthuli; Zakhele Xulu; Laura Washington; Yandisa Sikweyiya; Oluwafemi Adeagbo; Maryam Shahmanesh

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114539

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Opportunities for technologically driven dialogical health communication for participatory interventions: Perspectives from male peer navigators in rural South Africa

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Opportunities for technologically driven dialogical health communication for participatory interventions: Perspectives from male peer navigators in rural South Africa

Andrew Gibbs, Dumsani Gumede, Manono Luthuli, Zakhele Xulu, Laura Washington, Yandisa Sikweyiya, Oluwafemi Adeagbo and Maryam Shahmanesh

Social science & medicine (1982), Vol.292, pp.114539-114539

01/2022

DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114539

PMCID: PMC8783050

PMID: 34776288

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Abstract

There is increasing interest in the potential to deliver participatory dialogical HIV and intimate partner violence (IPV) prevention interventions via digital platforms, though the majority of mHealth interventions have been didactic in approach. We undertook 10 in-depth interviews with male Peer Navigators (PNs) who had been extensively trained and working on a larger intervention promoting young people's sexual and reproductive rights, in rural KwaZulu-Natal. Interviews focused on their, and their peers', use of technology in their everyday lives. Data were transcribed and translated, and subjected to thematic analysis. PNs described structural barriers to the use of technology, including poor connectivity, high data costs, and erratic electricity. They primarily used Facebook and WhatsApp for communication and highlighted how reading messages asynchronously was important to overcome connectivity challenges. PNs shared how groups were primarily for information sharing, they also discussed ‘sensitive’ issues online. Privacy was a concern, especially for conversations, and there was recognition of how confidentiality could be breached. It was also felt that WhatsApp could potentially support greater openness in discussions. We reflect on the potential for online interventions to support dialogical health communication, highlighting how dialogical health communication may be enabled through information provision, the asynchronous communication enhancing the potential for reflection, and greater participation in discussion by those who are shyer. Despite this potential there remain important risks around privacy of discussions and how to implement these approaches online. •Qualitative research with young men showed high levels of cellphone usage.•Emphasizes the importance of sharing information and personal discussions online.•Suggests potential opportunities for discussion and reflection via WhatsApp.•Recognises limitations of WhatsApp communication for health communication.

Communication

HIV

IPV

Online

Participation

Virtual

Details

Title: Subtitle: Opportunities for technologically driven dialogical health communication for participatory interventions: Perspectives from male peer navigators in rural South Africa
Creators: Andrew Gibbs - South African Medical Research Council
Dumsani Gumede - Africa Health Research Institute
Manono Luthuli - Africa Health Research Institute
Zakhele Xulu - Africa Health Research Institute
Laura Washington - Project Empower
Yandisa Sikweyiya - South African Medical Research Council
Oluwafemi Adeagbo - Africa Health Research Institute
Maryam Shahmanesh - Africa Health Research Institute
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Social science & medicine (1982), Vol.292, pp.114539-114539
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114539
PMID: 34776288
PMCID: PMC8783050
NLM abbreviation: Soc Sci Med
ISSN: 0277-9536
eISSN: 1873-5347
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd
Grant note: DOI: 10.13039/100010269, name: Wellcome Trust, award: 082384/Z/07/Z; DOI: 10.13039/100016237, name: Armauer Hansen Research Institute; DOI: 10.13039/501100000265, name: Medical Research Council, award: MR/T025832/1; DOI: 10.13039/501100001322, name: South African Medical Research Council; DOI: 10.13039/100000002, name: National Institutes of Health, award: 5R01MH114560-03
Language: English
Date published: 01/2022
Academic Unit: Community and Behavioral Health
Record Identifier: 9984274665102771

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