HIV Infections
Conditions
Keywords
medication adherence, PrEP
Brief summary
This study applies Social Cognitive Theory to develop behavioral interventions promoting PrEP adherence. It seeks to adapt and test the enhanced HMP app for feasibility and acceptability among Black adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and adult supports.
Detailed description
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing HIV infections, reducing the risk by over 90%. However, adherence among AYAs remains suboptimal, with only 34% maintaining adherence at 48 weeks. Studies suggest that adult support can improve adherence in pediatric HIV treatment, but this approach has not been systematically evaluated for PrEP use in AYAs. Prior research indicates that Black AYAs and their families are open to incorporating adult support for PrEP adherence. Given the success of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in promoting sexual health, this study aims to enhance the HealthMPowerment (HMP) app-an existing mHealth platform designed for HIV prevention-to facilitate dyadic communication between Black AYAs and trusted adult support persons. The study addresses the high rates of HIV among Black adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in metro Atlanta, Georgia, where AYAs (ages 13-24) account for 21% of new HIV diagnoses, with Black gay and bisexual males, transgender individuals, and heterosexual young women being disproportionately affected. Nearly half of new infections occur in rural areas. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative prioritizes four counties in metro Atlanta (Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett) as geographic hotspots, emphasizing the need for patient-centered interventions to reduce HIV incidence.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALHealth MPowerment App
A mobile health app designed to facilitate increased PrEP use and adherence among AYAs
Sponsors
Emory University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
AYAs will be paired with an adult who has identified as a support person and will use the app to facilitate dyadic communication to improve PrEP use among Black AYAs. Participants will be enrolled for 6 months. All participants will participate in the intervention
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 21 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* African Americans * Living in metropolitan Atlanta counties- Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, Gwinnett * Have a PrEP indication (e.g., sex with a partner living with HIV, condomless sex, sex with multiple partners, engagement in transactional sex, or at least one sexually transmitted infection in the past 6 months) * Support Person: * self-reported provision of instrumental, informational, or emotional support for a Black AYA 14-21 years old
Exclusion criteria
HIV positive Inability to provide consent
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptability/Usability | 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months | The study evaluates an app's impact through post-intervention interviews, focusing on user experience, ethical concerns, and future usage intentions. It explores burden, satisfaction, attitudes, and how the app influences communication and adherence. Sekhon's Theoretical Framework of Acceptability will be utilized to measure this outcome. |
| Feasibility: Communication | 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months | Communication between adolescents and young adults (AYA) and support person (i.e., Experience using chat features; Experience using forums). A modified version of Structured Assessment of FEasibility (SAFE) will be utilized to measure this outcome. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Medication Adherence Tracker | 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months | This will be measured by analyzing the percent of dates with data entered into the medication tracker and correlating that data with reasons why participants did not take their medication (when applicable) |
| Data Usage | 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months | This will be measured by comparing the amount of time (minutes) spent using distinct features of the app (e.g. forums, educational resources, avatars, side effect trackers, chat features) |
Countries
United States
Contacts
CONTACTSamantha Hill, MD, MPH
CONTACTJacob Aiello, MPH
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORSamantha Hill, MD, MPH
Emory University
Outcome results
None listed