MHealth for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Adherence by Young Adult Men Who Have Sex with Men

Overview

Journal Mhealth

Publisher AME Publishing Company

Date 2021 Aug 4

PMID 34345621

Citations 13

Authors

Patricia Flynn Weitzman

Yi Zhou

Laura Kogelman

Sarah Rodarte

Sara Romero Vicente

Sue E Levkoff

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Young adult men who have sex with men (YMSM) are at increased risk for HIV, especially minority YMSM. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a breakthrough daily pill to prevent HIV. Consistent adherence is key to PrEP effectiveness, which is why the CDC recommends adherence support be provided to all PrEP patients. Mobile health can overcome barriers to the delivery of adherence support, particularly for YMSM who may be most in need of it due, at least in part, to their young age.

Methods: We created a culturally- and developmentally-sensitive PrEP adherence mobile app (called "Dot") that was tailored for culturally-diverse young adult MSM. After formative research and usability testing, we conducted a 6-week pre-post study to evaluate the impact of Dot on self-reported PrEP adherence, PrEP treatment self-efficacy, PrEP knowledge, and intention to practice safe sex among culturally-diverse YMSM, age 20-29.

Results: At 6 weeks, there were significant improvements in PrEP adherence, PrEP self-efficacy, and intention to practice safe sex. PrEP knowledge scores did not significantly change.

Conclusions: The Dot app proved feasible and effective at improving PrEP adherence among culturally-diverse YMSM. Moreover, the app had a high-degree of user appeal, which is foundational to success of an mhealth intervention.

Citing Articles

Trial of an mHealth intervention to improve HIV prophylaxis for female sex workers, United Republic of Tanzania.

Mbotwa C, Kazaura M, Moen K, Sudfeld C, Metta E, Leshabari M Bull World Health Organ. 2024; 102(12):852-860.

PMID: 39611190 PMC: 11601177. DOI: 10.2471/BLT.24.291516.

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of an mHealth Intervention to Improve PrEP Adherence Among Young Sexual Minority Men.

Horvath K, Helm J, Black A, Chase G, Ma J, Klaphake J AIDS Behav. 2024; 28(8):2804-2820.

PMID: 38816592 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04374-3.

Identifying Best Practices for Increasing HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Use and Persistence in the United States: A Systematic Review.

Kamitani E, Higa D, Crepaz N, Wichser M, Mullins M AIDS Behav. 2024; 28(7):2340-2349.

PMID: 38743381 PMC: 11199112. DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04332-z.

mHealth-Based Gamification Interventions Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in the HIV Prevention and Care Continuum: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Luo Q, Zhang Y, Wang W, Cui T, Li T JMIR Mhealth Uhealth. 2024; 12:e49509.

PMID: 38623733 PMC: 11034423. DOI: 10.2196/49509.

A Community Guide Systematic Review: Digital HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Interventions.

Kamitani E, Peng Y, Hopkins D, Higa D, Mullins M Am J Prev Med. 2024; 67(2):303-310.

PMID: 38367928 PMC: 11260538. DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2024.02.009.

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