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Test@Work Texts: Mobile Phone Messaging to Increase Awareness of HIV and HIV Testing in UK Construction Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew Middleton

    (School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

  • Sarah Somerset

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK)

  • Catrin Evans

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK)

  • Holly Blake

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK
    NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK)

Abstract

Background: HIV poses a threat to global health. With effective treatment options available, education and testing strategies are essential in preventing transmission. Text messaging is an effective tool for health promotion and can be used to target higher risk populations. This study reports on the design, delivery and testing of a mobile text messaging SMS intervention for HIV prevention and awareness, aimed at adults in the construction industry and delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Participants were recruited at Test@Work workplace health promotion events (21 sites, n = 464 employees), including health checks with HIV testing. Message development was based on a participatory design and included a focus group ( n = 9) and message fidelity testing ( n = 291) with assessment of intervention uptake, reach, acceptability, and engagement. Barriers to HIV testing were identified and mapped to the COM-B behavioural model. 23 one-way push SMS messages (19 included short web links) were generated and fidelity tested, then sent via automated SMS to two employee cohorts over a 10-week period during the COVID-19 pandemic. Engagement metrics measured were: opt-outs, SMS delivered/read, number of clicks per web link, four two-way pull messages exploring repeat HIV testing, learning new information, perceived usefulness and behaviour change. Results: 291 people participated (68.3% of eligible attendees). A total of 7726 messages were sent between March and June 2020, with 91.6% successfully delivered (100% read). 12.4% of participants opted out over 10 weeks. Of delivered messages, links were clicked an average of 14.4% times, max 24.1% for HIV related links. The number of clicks on web links declined over time ( r = −6.24, p = 0.01). Response rate for two-way pull messages was 13.7% of participants. Since the workplace HIV test offer at recruitment, 21.6% reported having taken a further HIV test. Qualitative replies indicated behavioural influence of messaging on exercise, lifestyle behaviours and intention to HIV test. Conclusions : SMS messaging for HIV prevention and awareness is acceptable to adults in the construction industry, has high uptake, low attrition and good engagement with message content, when delivered during a global pandemic. Data collection methods may need refinement for audience, and effect of COVID-19 on results is yet to be understood.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew Middleton & Sarah Somerset & Catrin Evans & Holly Blake, 2020. "Test@Work Texts: Mobile Phone Messaging to Increase Awareness of HIV and HIV Testing in UK Construction Employees during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7819-:d:434692
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Joanne Wai-Yee Chung & Bonny Yee-Man Wong & Vincent Chun-Man Yan & Louisa Ming-Yan Chung & Henry Chi-Fuk So & Albert Chan, 2018. "Cardiovascular Health of Construction Workers in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Paul Anthony Bowen & Rajen Govender & Peter J. Edwards & Keith Cattell, 2014. "An integrated model of HIV/AIDS testing behaviour in the construction industry," Construction Management and Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(11), pages 1106-1129, November.
    3. Isaac Amankwaa & Daniel Boateng & Dan Yedu Quansah & Cynthia Pomaa Akuoko & Catrin Evans, 2018. "Effectiveness of short message services and voice call interventions for antiretroviral therapy adherence and other outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Nway Mon Kyaw Soe & Yelena Bird & Michael Schwandt & John Moraros, 2018. "STI Health Disparities: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Preventive Interventions in Educational Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, December.
    5. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Catrin Evans, 2020. "Development and Fidelity Testing of the Test@Work Digital Toolkit for Employers on Workplace Health Checks and Opt-In HIV Testing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, January.
    6. Holly Blake & Sarah Somerset & Katharine Whittingham & Matthew Middleton & Mehmet Yildirim & Catrin Evans, 2020. "WHIRL Study: Workplace Health Interprofessional Learning in the Construction Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
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