MySTYLE: Online Family-based HIV Prevention for Non-heterosexual Black Adolescent Males in the South
Condition: Hiv; Adolescent Behavior; Family Relations; Sexual Orientation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      This study will develop and test the efficacy of an online, family-based intervention
      (MySTYLE) tailored to the relevant sexual health needs of non-heterosexual adolescent males
      and their parents/caregivers compared waitlist control group. Adolescent males and their
      parents will be recruited from community organizations, medical clinics and schools in
      Jackson, MS. Interviews with youth, parents, and relevant community leaders will inform the
      development of the interventions. Youth and their parents/caregivers in both intervention
      arms will complete three assessments in the four months after enrolling. This study will
      provide a wealth of information about the degree to which this intervention may be
      disseminated for this highly vulnerable population of young people.
    

Detailed description: 
      In recent years, the highest rates of HIV in the U.S. have been concentrated among young men
      who have sex with men (MSM), especially those of color. Unfortunately, evidenced-based
      intervention programs for non-heterosexual Black adolescent males (nHBAM) do not exist. Drs.
      Brown and Crosby have each designed, tested (in the context of NIH-funded RCTs) behavioral
      interventions targeting young people at-risk of HIV acquisition. Also, their previous work
      demonstrates that parental involvement prevents sexual risk behavior by adolescents. They
      will adapt key elements of STYLE, an efficacious HIV prevention program for adolescents and
      their parents/caregivers, to be relevant for nHBAM. A formative phase will use in-depth
      interviews to assess and identify the needs of nHBAM and their parents/caregivers. Work
      groups, composed of youth, parents/caregivers, stakeholders, and investigators, will tailor
      and refine the content in an iterative process with a sophisticated media company (MEE
      studios). MySTYLE is proposed to be a series of eight online novella episodes designed to
      increase relevant knowledge, attitudes, and sexual protective behaviors of nHBAM. The project
      will take place in Jackson MS, which has the highest prevalence of HIV among urban MSM in the
      U.S. and the third highest rate among Black MSM under the age of 25. Adolescents and parents
      will be recruited from community organizations, medical clinics and schools. The feasibility
      and effect sizes of MySTYLE, compared to a waitlist control group, will be tested with a
      cohort of 72 nHBAM and their parents. Interventions effect sizes will be determined for
      sexual behaviors, HIV testing, and psychosocial mediators (e.g., knowledge, attitudes,
      communication between adolescents and their parents/caregivers relative to sex, safer sex,
      and sexuality).
    

Intervention name(s): MySTYLE; Waitlist Control
Intervention type(s): Behavioral; Other
Intervention description(s): Youth and parents will receive two secure texts or emails to their cell phone or preferred device weekly (for eight weeks). Each text/email will contain a link to new media content designed to (1) improve sexual health knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDs and sexually transmitted infections, (2) increase acceptance of young Black men of all backgrounds (sexual, economic, and family), and (3) improve parent and adolescent relationships and communication.; Youth and parents will not receive intervention materials for the first four months of participation. At the completion of the 4-month follow-up assessment, youth and parents will be eligible to receive two secure texts or emails to their cell phone or preferred device weekly (for eight weeks). Each text/email will contain a link to new media content designed to (1) improve sexual health knowledge surrounding HIV/AIDs and sexually transmitted infections, (2) increase acceptance of young Black men of all backgrounds (sexual, economic, and family), and (3) improve parent and adolescent relationships and communication.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Prevention