Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States.
Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, United States.
J Med Internet Res. 2021 Mar 24;23(3):e25107. doi: 10.2196/25107.
BACKGROUND: HIV disproportionately affects young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the United States. Uptake of evidence-based prevention strategies, including routine HIV testing and use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), is suboptimal in this population. Novel methods for reaching YMSM are required. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the development and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the MyChoices app, a mobile app designed to increase HIV testing and PrEP use among YMSM in the United States. METHODS: Informed by the social cognitive theory, the MyChoices app was developed using an iterative process to increase HIV testing and PrEP uptake among YMSM. In 2017, beta theater testing was conducted in two US cities to garner feedback (n=4 groups; n=28 YMSM). These findings were used to refine MyChoices, which was then tested for initial acceptability and usability in a technical pilot (N=11 YMSM). Baseline and 2-month postbaseline assessments and exit interviews were completed. Transcripts were coded using a deductive approach, and thematic analysis was used to synthesize data; app acceptability and use data were also reported. RESULTS: The MyChoices app includes personalized recommendations for HIV testing frequency and PrEP use; information on types of HIV tests and PrEP; ability to search for nearby HIV testing and PrEP care sites; and ability to order free home HIV and sexually transmitted infection test kits, condoms, and lube. In theater testing, YMSM described that MyChoices appears useful and that they would recommend it to peers. Participants liked the look and feel of the app and believed that the ability to search for and be pinged when near an HIV testing site would be beneficial. Some suggested that portions of the app felt repetitive and preferred using casual language rather than formal or medicalized terms. Following theater testing, the MyChoices app was refined, and participants in the technical pilot used the app, on average, 8 (SD 5.0; range 2-18) times over 2 months, with an average duration of 28 (SD 38.9) minutes per session. At the 2-month follow-up, the mean System Usability Scale (0-100) score was 71 (ie, above average; SD 11.8). Over 80% (9/11) of the participants reported that MyChoices was useful and 91% (10/11) said that they would recommend it to a friend. In exit interviews, there was a high level of acceptability for the content, interface, and features. CONCLUSIONS: These data show the initial acceptability and user engagement of the MyChoices app. If future studies demonstrate efficacy in increasing HIV testing and PrEP uptake, the app is scalable to reach YMSM across the United States. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03179319; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03179319. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/10694.
背景:艾滋病毒在美国不成比例地影响着与男性发生性关系的男同性恋者(YMSM)。该人群中,采用包括常规艾滋病毒检测和使用暴露前预防(PrEP)在内的循证预防策略的比例并不理想。需要采用新的方法来接触 YMSM。
目的:本研究旨在描述 MyChoices 应用程序的开发,并评估其在提高美国 YMSM 中艾滋病毒检测和 PrEP 使用方面的可行性和可接受性。
方法:受社会认知理论的启发,MyChoices 应用程序是通过迭代过程开发的,旨在增加 YMSM 中的艾滋病毒检测和 PrEP 使用率。2017 年,在两个美国城市进行了 Beta 剧场测试,以获取反馈(n=4 组;n=28 名 YMSM)。这些发现被用来改进 MyChoices,然后在技术试点中对其进行初始接受度和可用性测试(n=11 YMSM)。完成基线和 2 个月的随访评估和退出访谈。使用演绎方法对转录本进行编码,并使用主题分析对数据进行综合;还报告了应用程序的可接受性和使用数据。
结果:MyChoices 应用程序包括针对艾滋病毒检测频率和 PrEP 使用的个性化建议;有关艾滋病毒检测类型和 PrEP 的信息;搜索附近艾滋病毒检测和 PrEP 护理地点的能力;以及免费订购家用艾滋病毒和性传播感染检测试剂盒、避孕套和润滑剂的能力。在剧场测试中,YMSM 表示,MyChoices 似乎很有用,他们会向同龄人推荐它。参与者喜欢该应用程序的外观和感觉,并认为搜索和在靠近艾滋病毒检测地点时被提示的能力将是有益的。一些人表示,应用程序的某些部分感觉重复,并更喜欢使用非正式或非医学术语,而不是正式或医学术语。在剧场测试之后,对 MyChoices 应用程序进行了改进,技术试点的参与者在 2 个月的时间内平均使用该应用程序 8 次(SD 5.0;范围 2-18),每次平均持续 28 分钟(SD 38.9)。在 2 个月的随访中,系统可用性量表(0-100)的平均得分为 71(即高于平均水平;SD 11.8)。超过 80%(9/11)的参与者表示 MyChoices 很有用,91%(10/11)表示他们会向朋友推荐它。在退出访谈中,该应用程序的内容、界面和功能都具有很高的可接受性。
结论:这些数据表明了 MyChoices 应用程序的初步可接受性和用户参与度。如果未来的研究证明其能提高艾滋病毒检测和 PrEP 的使用率,那么该应用程序可以扩展到全美范围内接触 YMSM。
临床试验注册:Clinicaltrials.gov NCT03179319;https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03179319。
国际注册报告标识符(IRRID):RR2-10.2196/10694。
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