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

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

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Gibbs, Andrew & Gumede, Dumsani & Luthuli, Manono & Xulu, Zakhele & Washington, Laura & Sikweyiya, Yandisa & Adeagbo, Oluwafemi & Shahmanesh, Maryam, 2022. "Opportunities for technologically driven dialogical health communication for participatory interventions: Perspectives from male peer navigators in rural South Africa," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:292:y:2022:i:c:s0277953621008716
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114539
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathryn Hurt & Rebekah Walker & Jennifer Campbell & Leonard Egede, 2016. "mHealth Interventions in Low and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 8(9), pages 183-183, September.
    2. Andrew Gibbs & Rachel Jewkes & Samantha Willan & Laura Washington, 2018. "Associations between poverty, mental health and substance use, gender power, and intimate partner violence amongst young (18-30) women and men in urban informal settlements in South Africa: A cross-se," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Kathy Baisley & Natsayi Chimbindi & Nondumiso Mthiyane & Sian Floyd & Nuala McGrath & Deenan Pillay & Janet Seeley & Thembelihle Zuma & Jaco Dreyer & Dickman Gareta & Theresa Smit & Tinofa Mutevedzi &, 2018. "High HIV incidence and low uptake of HIV prevention services: The context of risk for young male adults prior to DREAMS in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, December.
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