Abstract
Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are an important key population in China. However, HIV testing rates among MSM remain suboptimal. Digital crowdsourcing may be a useful tool to reach this marginalized population. The proposed cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) study aims to assess the effectiveness of digital crowdsourcing in improving HIV testing and sexual behaviors change among Chinese MSM. Methods: A two-arm, cluster-randomized controlled trial will be implemented in eleven cities (ten clusters) in Shandong Province, China. Target study enrollment will be 250 participants per arm and 50 participants per cluster. MSM who are 18 years old or above, live in the study city, have not been tested for HIV in the past 3 months, are not living with HIV or have never been tested for HIV, and are willing to provide informed consent, will be enrolled. MSM will be recruited through banner advertisements on Blued, the largest gay dating app in China, and in-person at community-based organizations (CBOs). Participants will be followed-up quarterly during the 12-month period. The primary outcome will be the self-reported uptake of HIV testing. Secondary outcomes will include change in condomless sex, self-test efficacy, social network engagement, HIV testing social norms, and testing stigma.Discussion: Innovative approaches to HIV testing among marginalized population are urgently needed. Through this cluster randomized controlled trial, we expected that we can evaluate effectiveness of a digital crowdsourcing approach, improve the HIV testing rate among MSM and provide a resource in related public health fields.Trial Registration: ChiCTR1900024350. Registered on 6 July 2019, identifier http:// chictr.org.cn/.
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