Users' Concerns Related to Online HIV Counseling in South Korea: A Descriptive Qualitative Study. (14th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Han Ju; Kang, Hee Sun; Singh-Carlson, Savitri; Kim, Kyung Sun
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Volume 31:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 646
• Page End: 653
• Publication Date: 2020-11-14
• Subjects: health information needs -- HIV -- online counseling service -- qualitative study -- risky sexual behaviors; AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Nursing -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.97920231
• DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000193
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-3290

Abstract

Abstract: This qualitative descriptive study was designed to identify HIV-related questions frequently asked by online counseling users seeking professional advice. Data were collected via a public online question/answer counseling website operated by the Gyeonggi-do branch of the Korean Association for AIDS Prevention. Data on users' questions regarding HIV were collected between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2018. The online questions were then analyzed and divided into codes and categories. From the 559 questions submitted, content analysis identified four major categories related to HIV: (a) HIV testing, (b) self-perceived HIV risk and risky sexual behaviors, (c) positive and negative emotional states, and (d) treatment and prevention. This study indicates that online counseling can be used to provide tailored information related to HIV along with emotional and psychosocial support to reach different subgroups and to provide current information such as the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis for those seeking professional advice.