How to “Vialogues”

At baseline clinic visit, the participants randomized to intervention arm were assisted by the study staffs to create a ‘Vialogues’ account using pseudoname to ensure privacy, added to the main study ‘Vialogues’ room and briefly trained on how to access and participate in 12-monthly video sessions. The staffs felt this step was necessary as none of the participants had prior experience with the ‘Vialogues’ tool. The intervention was designed to support risk reduction behaviors by increasing the client’s perception of personal risks. The counselor scheduled online appointment for Vialogues video and discussion session using phone call and instant messaging application (LINE, Line Corporation, Japan) at the beginning of each month and engaged in an interactive video discussion and conversation with the client to: 1) expose clients to a HIV awareness videos delivered by medical/community experts and encourage participants to inquire and determine what behaviors place the client at risk for HIV (or STIs); 2) use a “teachable moment” to engage in conversation, reduce myths and increase the client’s perception about HIV risk; and 3) reinforce safe behaviors and offer support when needed.