scholarly journals A Community-Developed, Web-Based Mobile App Intervention Addressing Social Work and Legal Needs of Black Sexual Minority Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Comparison Trial

10.2196/19770 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e19770
Author(s):  
Ayako Miyashita Ochoa ◽  
Christian Corpuz Paneda ◽  
Elizabeth SC Wu ◽  
Katherine Elizabeth Maxwell ◽  
Gerald Garth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Comparison Trial ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Hiv Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Living With Hiv

Background Black sexual minority men (BSMM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Los Angeles County (LAC) carries a substantial burden of the HIV epidemic in California. Negative effects of both psychosocial and structural barriers highlight the timely need to increase HIV treatment among BSMM. Successful HIV interventions based on social media and mobile phone technology have been demonstrated. This protocol describes LINX LA, a study that tests LINX, a web-based mobile app that provides tailored social services, legal resources, and peer support for BSMM living with HIV (BSMM+) in LAC using a randomized comparison trial. Objective During phase 1, the LINX LA study aims to engage in an iterative design process to develop the LINX App using qualitative data to inform and tailor the mobile app technology and its functionality. In phase 2 of LINX LA, we will test the efficacy of the LINX App compared with the LINX App Plus to improve HIV treatment outcomes (ie, antiretroviral therapy adherence, viral suppression) among BSMM+ in LAC by addressing social work and legal needs and developing a forum for peer support. Methods In this study funded by the California HIV/AIDS Research Program, we will recruit and enroll BSMM+ participants (aged ≥18 years) in LAC (N=400) to participate in a 12-month study that includes access to the LINX App, which provides a forum for peer support and tailored content aimed at improving the use of social and legal resources. All participants will also receive survey-based interviews at 3 time points (at baseline and 6- and 12-month intervals) and weekly text message surveys that assess medication and treatment adherence. Treatment adherence and viral suppression will be extracted from medical record data. Half of the participants will also be randomly assigned to receive 3 individualized coaching sessions (at 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals) and the ability to directly message their coach via the LINX App. Over the course of the study, LINX App participants will receive a minimum of US $130 in cash and LINX App Plus participants will receive a minimum of US $190. We hypothesize that participants enrolled in LINX App Plus will demonstrate greater improvement in HIV outcomes compared with LINX App participants. Results The LINX study will test the efficacy of a web-based mobile app intervention for BSMM+ in LAC (N=400). The LINX App seeks to increase participants’ knowledge of HIV; to facilitate access to necessary social and legal services, including information and referrals; and to increase social support across participants by providing a mediated forum for engagement. Conclusions The implementation of LINX LA aims to develop and test a culturally tailored approach to improve the HIV treatment outcomes of BSMM+. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) PRR1-10.2196/19770

scholarly journals A Community-Developed, Web-Based Mobile App Intervention Addressing Social Work and Legal Needs of Black Sexual Minority Men Living With HIV: Protocol for a Randomized Comparison Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayako Miyashita Ochoa ◽  
Christian Corpuz Paneda ◽  
Elizabeth SC Wu ◽  
Katherine Elizabeth Maxwell ◽  
Gerald Garth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peer Support ◽  
Viral Suppression ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Comparison Trial ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Hiv Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Living With Hiv

BACKGROUND Black sexual minority men (BSMM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Los Angeles County (LAC) carries a substantial burden of the HIV epidemic in California. Negative effects of both psychosocial and structural barriers highlight the timely need to increase HIV treatment among BSMM. Successful HIV interventions based on social media and mobile phone technology have been demonstrated. This protocol describes LINX LA, a study that tests LINX, a web-based mobile app that provides tailored social services, legal resources, and peer support for BSMM living with HIV (BSMM+) in LAC using a randomized comparison trial. OBJECTIVE During phase 1, the LINX LA study aims to engage in an iterative design process to develop the LINX App using qualitative data to inform and tailor the mobile app technology and its functionality. In phase 2 of LINX LA, we will test the efficacy of the LINX App compared with the LINX App Plus to improve HIV treatment outcomes (ie, antiretroviral therapy adherence, viral suppression) among BSMM+ in LAC by addressing social work and legal needs and developing a forum for peer support. METHODS In this study funded by the California HIV/AIDS Research Program, we will recruit and enroll BSMM+ participants (aged ≥18 years) in LAC (N=400) to participate in a 12-month study that includes access to the LINX App, which provides a forum for peer support and tailored content aimed at improving the use of social and legal resources. All participants will also receive survey-based interviews at 3 time points (at baseline and 6- and 12-month intervals) and weekly text message surveys that assess medication and treatment adherence. Treatment adherence and viral suppression will be extracted from medical record data. Half of the participants will also be randomly assigned to receive 3 individualized coaching sessions (at 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals) and the ability to directly message their coach via the LINX App. Over the course of the study, LINX App participants will receive a minimum of US $130 in cash and LINX App Plus participants will receive a minimum of US $190. We hypothesize that participants enrolled in LINX App Plus will demonstrate greater improvement in HIV outcomes compared with LINX App participants. RESULTS The LINX study will test the efficacy of a web-based mobile app intervention for BSMM+ in LAC (N=400). The LINX App seeks to increase participants’ knowledge of HIV; to facilitate access to necessary social and legal services, including information and referrals; and to increase social support across participants by providing a mediated forum for engagement. CONCLUSIONS The implementation of LINX LA aims to develop and test a culturally tailored approach to improve the HIV treatment outcomes of BSMM+. CLINICALTRIAL INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT PRR1-10.2196/19770

scholarly journals Tryptophan depletion predicts lower positive affect in sexual minority men living with HIV who use methamphetamine

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Young Lee ◽  
Tiffany R. Glynn ◽  
Judith T. Moskowitz ◽  
Dietmar Fuchs ◽  
Torsten B. Neilands ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Affect ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Tryptophan Depletion ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Living With Hiv

scholarly journals Adaptation of a Group-Based HIV RISK Reduction Intervention to a Mobile App for Young Sexual Minority Men

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 449-462 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Schnall ◽  
Lisa M. Kuhns ◽  
Marco A. Hidalgo ◽  
Dakota Powell ◽  
Jennie Thai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Software Development ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Sexual Minority Men ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Intervention Content ◽  
Minority Men ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
Panel Review

There is a dearth of evidence-based HIV prevention interventions for very young men who have sex with men (YMSM) ages 13–18 years, at high risk for HIV. We adapted the MyPEEPS intervention—an evidence-based, group-level intervention—to individual-level delivery by a mobile application. We used an expert panel review, in-depth interviews with YMSM (n = 40), and weekly meetings with the investigative team and the software development company to develop the mobile app. The expert panel recommended changes to the intervention in the following areas: (1) biomedical interventions, (2) salience of intervention content, (3) age group relevance, (4) technical components, and (5) stigma content. Interview findings reflected current areas of focus for the intervention and recommendations of the expert panel for new content. In regular meetings with the software development firm, guiding principles included development of dynamic content, while maintaining fidelity of the original curriculum and shortening intervention content for mobile delivery.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document