HIV Infections
Conditions
Keywords
HIV Prevention, Mobile Phone, Technology-Based Intervention, HIV, HIV Seronegativity
Brief summary
This study will develop and test the effectiveness of a cell phone-based text messaging program to encourage abstinence, monogamy, or condom use among black urban males in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Detailed description
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV infections, are most commonly spread through unprotected sexual intercourse. STDs are a primary health issue, especially among young ethnic minorities in the United States. The rate of STDs is significantly greater in urban areas where ethnic minorities, particularly African-American males, are commonly represented. Despite this information, safe sexual practices, including correct condom use, are not commonly followed among minority males. It is believed that educational outreach designed to motivate and inform on the correct use of condoms will be effective in encouraging safer sex practices. A cell phone-based text messaging program designed to promote safer sex practices may provide an effective and easy means of delivery of treatment. This study will develop and test the effectiveness of a cell phone-based text messaging program to sustain abstinence, monogamy, or condom use among black urban males in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Participation in this study will be divided into two phases. In the first study phase, participants will partake in a 90-minute focus group to help develop text message content and plans for treatment delivery. The next study phase will be a pilot test of the program developed in the first phase. Participants will be assigned to receive text messages concerning either HIV prevention or general nutrition. Participants receiving the HIV prevention text messages will be sent up to 90 text messages related to abstinence, monogamy, and condom use over a 3-month period. Participants will also be able to join interactive phone activities related to HIV. Participants receiving the nutritional text messages will be sent up to 30 messages about nutrition and healthy eating over the same period of time. Participants will complete telephone surveys at baseline and Months 3 and 6. The surveys will assess measures of abstinence, monogamy and condom use attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and risk behaviors.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHIV-related text messaging
Participants will receive up to 90 text messages related to abstinence, monogamy, and condom use over 3 months.
BEHAVIORALNutrition-related text messaging
Participants will receive up to 30 text messages about nutrition and healthy eating over 3 months.
Sponsors
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
University of Colorado, Denver
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
MALE
Age
16 Years to 20 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Resident of Philadelphia * Self-identified black or African American * English-speaking * Cell phone user
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Condom use | Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6 |
| Abstinence | Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6 |
| Monogamy | Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6 |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Attitudes, norms, self-efficacy, and intentions to remain abstinent, remain monogamous, or use condoms | Measured at baseline and Months 3 and 6 |
Countries
United States
Outcome results
None listed