acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary impact of a web-based, hiv prevention toolkit with cisgender male couples in lima, peru

Conditions: HIV Infections; Hiv; Sexually Transmitted Infections (Not HIV or Hepatitis); Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Sexual Behavior; Risk Reduction

Summary: this digital couples-based hiv/sti prevention intervention project will determine preliminary efficacy to improve uptake of evidence-based strategies and a tailored prevention plan among cisgender male couples who are in a relationship (defined as greater than 3 months or more).

the project draws on our strong findings from the preliminary work we conducted in lima. the 3-year project will update and adapt an existing digital health couples-based hiv/sti prevention toolkit intervention that showed promise for reducing couples' hiv risk. the intervention is theoretically grounded in couples interdependence theory for health behavior change. the project is a 6-month pilot randomized control trial with 60 at-risk male couples using a delayed, educational control condition of 3 months. our specific aims are to: 1) assess feasibility to retain 60 consented and eligible male couples in a 6-month pilot rct through quantitative measurement of enrollment and retention/attrition rates, and by reason for attrition; 2) describe acceptability of the adapted toolkit intervention using mixed methods23 from 3 data sources. at last follow-up, partners responses to the health information usability evaluation scale24 and other survey items (e.g., 3 things liked best/least about the toolkit, features for improvement) will be captured, along with the additional details they will share about their experiences during the individual-level, qualitative exit interview; 3) examine preliminary impact of the toolkit intervention on couples': a) formation and adherence to a tailored risk-reduction plan and agreement; b) relationship functioning (e.g., communication); c) use of/adherence to evidence-based hiv/sti prevention strategies; and d) hiv/sti incidence. preliminary impact will be assessed via changes in couples' outcomes a-d over time between trial arms, and for all couples.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: 1. being assigned male at birth and currently identifying as male (cis-gender); 2. having had anal sex with each other in the past 3 months; 3. referring to each other as being in a relationship, defined as "someone you feel emotionally or romantically committed to above all others, and may be referred to as partner, husband, partner, etc."; 4. being in a relationship with each other for 3 months or longer; 5. being at least 18 years of age; 6. not having any history of intimate partner violence since their relationship began; 7. self-reporting not feeling coerced by their partner to take part in the study activities; 8. having their own internet/web-connected device (e.g. smartphone, laptop, tablet, computer); 9. living in the lima metro area and planning to live there for the next 6 months; 10. willing to receive an in-person rapid hiv test (if applicable); 11. willing to be tested for other stis and use swabs to self-collect their own specimens; and 12. willing to attend an in-person appointment at baseline and at 6 months. exclusion criteria: -does not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria

Keywords: prevention relationship functioning adherence prevention strategies