A Mobile-Based App (MyChoices) to Increase Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Young Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
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BACKGROUND HIV incidence is growing most rapidly in the United States among young men who have sex with men YMSM Overwhelming evidence demonstrates that routine testing and expanded use of pre exposure prophylaxis PrEP would dramatically reduce the population burden of HIV however uptake of both interventions is suboptimal among young adults The use of mobile phone apps by YMSM is ubiquitous and may offer unique opportunities for public health interventions MyChoices is a theory driven app to increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake It was developed by an interdisciplinary team based on feedback from a diverse sample of YMSM OBJECTIVE The aim of this paper is to describe the protocol for the refinement beta testing and pilot randomized controlled trial RCT to examine the acceptability and feasibility of the MyChoices app METHODS This 3 phase study includes 4 theater testing groups for app refinement with a total of approximately 30 YMSM for beta testing including quantitative assessments and exit interviews with approximately 15 YMSM over a 2 month period and for a pilot RCT with 60 YMSM The pilot will assess feasibility acceptability and preliminary efficacy of the MyChoices app compared with referrals only in increasing HIV testing and PrEP uptake All participants will be recruited at iTech clinical research sites in Boston MA and Bronx NY RESULTS App refinement is underway Enrollment for the pilot RCT began in October 2018 CONCLUSIONS MyChoices is one of the first comprehensive theory driven HIV prevention apps designed specifically for YMSM If MyChoices demonstrates acceptability and feasibility in this pilot RCT a multicity 3 arm randomized controlled efficacy trial of this app and another youth optimized app LYNX versus standard of care is planned within iTech If shown to be efficacious the app will be scalable with the ability to reach YMSM across the United States as well as be geographically individualized with app content integrated with local prevention and testing activities INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER IRRID PRR1 10 2196 10694