Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, University of California, San Diego, CA, United States.
Department of Sociology and the Health Sciences Research Institute, University of California, Merced, CA, United States.
AIDS Care. 2024 Nov;36(11):1626-1634. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2383869. Epub 2024 Aug 1.
Many older adults living with HIV face unique challenges, including comorbidities, loneliness, and isolation. This community-academic partnered study elicited viewpoints from older adults living with HIV about the characteristics of a digital environment ("Virtual Village") to combat against loneliness and isolation. We utilized Choice-Based Conjoint Analyses to determine preferred attributes of a Virtual Village. We also conducted focus groups and interviews with older adults living with HIV and used an iterative, data-driven approach to systematically identify emergent themes. Participants ( = 82) were aged 50-82 years and racially/ethnically diverse. The majority were men (78%), gay (66%), and lived with HIV for ≥15 years (83%). Cost was the factor that most drove participants' preference for joining a Virtual Village. Thematic concerns included lack of technological confidence, internet access, potential for harassment in digital environments, privacy, and preference for in-person interactions. Praises centered on convenience and making connections across geographic distances. Participants emphasized the need for purposive strategies to form a cohesive and supportive community for older adults living with HIV. A moderated environment was recommneded to create a safe, structured, and comfortable digital environment for older adults living with HIV. A Virtual Village should be viewed as a bridge to in-person interactions.
许多感染艾滋病毒的老年人面临着独特的挑战，包括合并症、孤独和隔离。这项社区学术合作研究从感染艾滋病毒的老年人那里获取了关于数字环境（“虚拟村”）的观点，以对抗孤独和隔离。我们利用选择式联合分析来确定虚拟村的理想属性。我们还对感染艾滋病毒的老年人进行了焦点小组和访谈，并采用迭代的、数据驱动的方法系统地确定了新出现的主题。参与者（n=82）年龄在 50-82 岁之间，种族/民族多样化。大多数是男性（78%），同性恋者（66%），感染艾滋病毒的时间≥15 年（83%）。成本是最能驱动参与者加入虚拟村的因素。主题性问题包括缺乏技术信心、互联网接入、数字环境中潜在的骚扰、隐私以及对面对面互动的偏好。赞扬集中在方便和跨越地理距离建立联系上。参与者强调需要有针对性的策略来为感染艾滋病毒的老年人建立一个有凝聚力和支持性的社区。建议采用适度的环境，为感染艾滋病毒的老年人创造一个安全、有结构和舒适的数字环境。虚拟村应该被视为与面对面互动的桥梁。
