Developing a mobile phone-based HIV/STD risk reduction intervention for young African American MSM

Background: Young African American men who have sex with men (MSM) have some of the highest rates of HIV, yet there is a paucity of efficacious HIV/STD interventions tailored to this population. Mobile phones provide great potential to reach this population of avid mobile-phone users that has been difficult to recruit and retain for health interventions. Mobile phone-delivered interventions have the additional benefits of cost-effectiveness, message tailoring, convenience, and appeal. We utilized focus groups, surveys and usability testing in the development of a mobile phone-based HIV/STD risk-reduction intervention targeting 18-to 24-year-old African American MSM.

Methods: We conducted three types of formative research with the target population: focus groups (n=67), cross-sectional surveys (n=56), and usability tests (n=11). The focus groups and surveys provided necessary information for the development of the intervention. Participants completed the usability tests to evaluate the intervention software on mobile devices.

Results: The focus group and survey data helped shape the project and shift the intervention from the originally planned computer-based delivery to a mobile-phone-based delivery. Participants had positive responses to the content and delivery, highlighting the speed and responsiveness, the provision of tailored information, and the novelty of delivering the application via mobile phone.

Conclusion: Project results have practical implications for those interested in the process of designing efficacious health-behavior interventions for hard-to-reach populations using new technology. Particularly, engagement of the target population from the initial stages of project concept led the research team to make major changes to increase the project's acceptability, efficacy, and reach.