Acceptability and Feasibility of “Latinos Unidos”: A Microgame Resource Combatting Health Misinformation for Latinos Living with HIV

Abstract

COVID-19 mitigation strategies, including shelter-in-place orders, masking, and social distancing combined with the widespread “infodemic” may interact synergistically to worsen already compromised mental health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLWH). We developed a three-part microgame intervention, “Latino Unidos,” targeting media health literacy education that could be mobilized to protect the mental health of Latinx PLWH as well as promote HIV care during the pandemic. We utilized a community-based approach by working with two local community partners and conducted interviews and focus groups from three perspectives: Latino PLWH, ID providers, and community health workers. Participants evaluated three microgame modules for literacy objectives, acceptability, and feasibility. Feedback offered from each round of module review indicated that each of the game experiences supported the aim of addressing health mis/disinformation. Results indicated relative success demonstrated by positive responses on module literacy goals, acceptability, and feasibility. Our approach illuminates the intersection between content development around media literacy and microgame modality as a novel mHealth resource. Study outcomes offer suggestions and strategies for optimizing content effectiveness and intervention material dissemination.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article [and/or] its supplementary materials.

Additional information

Funding

This work was awarded to the PI - Victoria Orrego Dunleavy. It is supported by the Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health, P30MH116867 (PI: Safren) and the Miami Clinical and Translational Science Institute, UL1TR002736 (PI: Sacco). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.