Feasibility, Acceptability, and Process Indicators for Guy2Guy, an mHealth HIV Prevention Program for Sexual Minority Adolescent Boys
Michele L Ybarra, Tonya Prescott, Brian Mustanski, Jeffrey Parsons, Sheana S Bull, Michele L Ybarra, Tonya Prescott, Brian Mustanski, Jeffrey Parsons, Sheana S Bull
Abstract
Purpose: Guy2Guy is one of the first mHealth HIV prevention programs for sexual minority boys aged 14-18 years, evaluated nationally. Here, we examine the program's feasibility and acceptability and explore participants' feedback about program content and components intended to invigorate program engagement.
Methods: Guy2Guy was tested in a randomized controlled trial of 302 youth assigned to either the intervention or an attention-matched control group. At 3-month follow-up, participants completed a survey that included questions about feasibility and acceptability. Focus groups were conducted with a subset of intervention participants (n = 45) to further understand their program experience.
Results: The protocol and program appeared to be feasible: 94% completed the 3-month follow-up survey. The intervention also appeared to be acceptable: 93% of intervention participants said they somewhat or strongly agreed that they liked the program. Although ∼20% boys agreed that the program sent too many messages, only 10% said they stopped reading the messages by the end. Focus group participants were largely enthusiastic about program content and generally appreciated receiving information and skills-building messages that talked about HIV risk reduction. Some indicated a desire for more content that addressed condom negotiation. Program engagement components, particularly the weekly "level up" quiz, also were generally well received.
Conclusions: Sexual minority boys are willing to engage in Guy2Guy, an intensive, multiweek sexual health intervention via text messaging, and most would recommend the program to their friends.
Keywords: MSM; Process evaluation; Sexual minority; mHealth.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflicts of Interest:
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
Copyright © 2019 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Source: PubMed