136th APHA Annual Meeting (October 25-29, 2008): Challenges in implementing an online HIV prevention program for men who use the internet to seek sex with other men: Lessons learned from Men's Internet Study II (MINTS II)

Monday, October 27, 2008: 4:45 PM

B. R. Simon Rosser, PhD, MPH , Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Gene Danilenko, MA, MBA , Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Gunna Kilian, BA , Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Masaki Utsumiya, BS , Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Keith Horvath, PhD , Division of Epidemiology and Community Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Joseph A. Konstan, PhD , Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

Issue: This presentation showcases issues in developing “next generation” online HIV prevention interventions. In the U.S., the internet is now the largest venue where men meet men for sex. Developing effective online HIV interventions for Men who use the internet to seek Sex with Men (MISM) is essential if risk is to be reduced.

Description: MINTS-II is an NIMH-funded RCT testing an interactive online intervention designed to help high-risk MISM to reduce unsafe sex behavior. The multidisciplinary development team used a combination of e-learning, sexual health and interaction theory models to design a curriculum (14 modules; ~3 hours activity time) addressing HIV risk and physical, emotional, sexual, and mental health co-factors. In January 2008, 653 MSM reporting sex with multiple men were enrolled in the study, with combined 90% retention rate across intervention and control. Three, 6, and 12-month follow-ups are in progress.

Lessons learned: Traditional community-based intervention development approaches do not translate easily when designing online environments. Online curricula need to be informative, entertaining, and interactive to retain participants. Intervention development teams must include content, design, and software experts. Iterative development protocols are essential. Development strategies included: 1) comprehensive online-specific needs assessment of the target population (N=2,773 MISM); 2) incorporation of e-learning principles; and 3) inclusion of community-tailored, highly-interactive and explicit media. Strong security and participant monitoring protocols were critical to ensuring adequate retention and experimental rigor.

Recommendations: Well-defined project management, multidisciplinary teams, and tailored messages. Dissemination of “how to” papers detailing successful development methods is a priority.

Learning Objectives:
Identify challenges in designing an online intervention program. Understand the importance of project management in software development. Discuss the importance of security and data monitoring in online interventions with MSM.

Keywords: HIV Interventions, Internet

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Principal Investigator on the study.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Innovative Approaches to Reducing HIV among Men Who Have Sex With Men
See more of: HIV/AIDS

181481 Challenges in implementing an online HIV prevention program for men who use the internet to seek sex with other men: Lessons learned from Men's Internet Study II (MINTS II)