306269
Preferences of MSM and HIV Prevention Counselors for a Mobile App Intervention to Increase Frequency of HIV Testing among MSM
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Methods: Online and in-person focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted with MSM (n=38) and HIV counselors (n=13) in Atlanta, Seattle, and rural U.S. regions, focusing on the preferred features of a mobile app to support HIV testing and prevention. Key informant interviews were conducted with community, state and federal stakeholders. A beta version of the app was theatre tested in FGDs with MSM (n=35) and HIV counselors (n=9).
Results: MSM expressed strong interest in using the HIV mobile app and counselors and stakeholders identified the value of incorporating it into existing testing and counseling services. Participants reported that an ideal app would link men to local testing services, but should also link to followup service based on test results, including PrEP, nPEP, and linkage to care. In theatre testing, participants liked the beta app for its ability to provide comprehensive information on a variety of HIV resources and allow men to monitor and reflect their sexual risk-taking behaviors.
Conclusions: MSM report interest in using a mobile app to plan their HIV testing, but require an app that also includes resources on prevention and HIV care services. Future effort will develop and test a mobile app to increase HIV testing and linkage to HIV services.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsImplementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Provision of health care to the public
Learning Objectives:
Identify preferences for building a mobile HIV prevention app intervention
Keyword(s): HIV/AIDS, Technology
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a Public Health Program Associate, I have led multiple private and federally funded HIV qualitative research projects focusing on men who have sex with men.
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.