Privacy and confidentiality considerations for collecting HIV risk network data among men who have sex with men and implications for constructing valid risk networks

Abby E. Rudolph, April M. Young

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Studies aiming to construct risk networks have historically collected network members' names, demographic characteristics and relational data (i.e., type, strength, duration, frequency of interaction, and HIV-related risk behaviors between the pair). Due to difficulties in constructing risk networks stemming from partner anonymity and the use of nicknames, some studies also collect network members’ screen names, phone numbers, physical attributes, and scars/tattoos to assist with entity resolution. In-depth interviews with 20 men who have sex with men and transgender women in Kentucky assessed privacy/confidentiality concerns as well as accuracy/recall issues associated with providing these details. Most preferred providing alters’ nicknames/first names only or a first name with the first letter of the last name. Many perceived screen names, phone numbers, and scars/tattoos to be too personal/identifying. Willingness to provide more detailed information varied by relationship type/strength, which could influence the validity of the resulting network.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-54
Number of pages8
JournalSocial Networks
Volume67
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Elsevier B.V.

Funding

This research was funded by the Fordham University HIV and Drug Abuse Prevention Research Ethics Training Institute and National Institutes of Health Grants R25DA031608 (Director, Celia B. Fisher), K01DA033879 (PI: Abby E. Rudolph) and R21AI131979 (PI: Abby E. Rudolph). The MSM study in Lexington was funded by R03DA039740 and NCRR UL1TR000117 (PI: April M. Young).

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)K01DA033879, R03DA039740, R25DA031608, R21AI131979
National Center for Research ResourcesUL1TR000117
Fordham University

    Keywords

    • Confidentiality
    • Free-list
    • HIV
    • Men who have sex with men
    • Name generator
    • Qualitative
    • Sexually transmitted infections
    • Social network analysis
    • Sociometric network

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Anthropology
    • Sociology and Political Science
    • General Social Sciences
    • General Psychology

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