Use of Smartphones for Social and Sexual Networking among Transgender Women in South India: Implications for Developing Smartphone‑based Online HIV Prevention Interventions

Background: Smartphone use is increasing among transgender women (TGW), including those who engage in sex work. Current government‑supported HIV prevention interventions focus on physical venue‑based outreach among TGW, missing the opportunity to reach them through smartphone‑based interventions. Objective: We examined the use of smartphones among TGW, especially in relation to social and sexual networking, and explored their perspectives on their willingness to use smartphone‑based HIV prevention interventions. Materials and Methods: Through an exploratory descriptive‑interpretive qualitative research design, we conducted 6 focus groups with a purposive sample of 30 TGW (70% in sex work) and 4 key informant in‑depth interviews in Chennai and Hyderabad, India. Data were explored using framework analysis. Results: Through smartphones, TGW used social media (e.g., WhatsApp and Facebook) and dating applications for socialization, meeting sexual partners, and entertainment. Low‑literacy TGW used voice or video messaging. TGW expressed interest in receiving short health‑related videos and text messages on HIV, mental health, and gender transition. Conclusion: At‑risk TGW could potentially be reached through smartphone‑based online health promotion interventions, but those interventions need to be holistic – moving beyond HIV.