Identifying Key Elements to Inform the Development of an HIV Health Behavior Maintenance Intervention

Abstract

Purpose: To collect information that will inform the development of an intervention to support the maintenance of HIV-related health-promoting behaviors. Design: Focused, in-depth individual and group interviews. Setting: The New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and DOHMH-funded community-based organizations that primarily serve low-income people living with HIV within the five boroughs of NYC. Participants: A total of 42 individuals who had participated in The Positive Life Workshop—an HIV self-management intervention adapted and implemented by the NYC DOHMH. Method: Purposive sampling was used to recruit study participants. Five 60- to 90-minute focus groups (n = 38) and 4 individual interviews were conducted to assess motivations for and barriers to maintaining HIV-related health-promoting behaviors and to elicit feedback on the content and format for the proposed maintenance intervention. Thematic analysis was used to summarize the data. Results: Participants reported that relationships with family, a responsibility to protect others from HIV, and faith/spirituality supported the maintenance of health-promoting behaviors. Barriers to behavior maintenance included substance use and mental health issues. Meeting in small groups was also highlighted as a motivator to sustaining health behaviors, particularly in decreasing isolation and receiving affirmation from others. Conclusion: Participants identified several factors that could be incorporated into an intervention to support HIV-related health-promoting behavior maintenance that could supplement existing HIV self-management interventions.