Peer-led Social Media Intervention to Prevent HIV Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men (YMSM)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The aim of this study is to examine the effect of social media intervention on the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) by young men who have sex with men (YMSM) in the greater New Haven area.

Detailed Description
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There are three specific aims of this study. In the first specific aim, two focus group discussions (FGDs) of YMSM will be conducted to assess the feasibility and acceptability of social media intervention. In the second specific aim of the study, a quasi-pre-post experimental study will be conducted to examine the effect of social media intervention on PrEP uptake (primary outcome) and PrEP use intention, HIV testing, PrEP knowledge, self-efficacy and social support (secondary outcome). In the third specific aim of the study, the most important topics around PrEP will be assessed on the Facebook page of the intervention group by conducting a content analysis.

Official Title
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Peer-led Social Media Intervention to Prevent HIV Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men (YMSM)

Conditions
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Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, Hiv, Men

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: PrEP messages
* Behavioral: Heath messages


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Biologically male or transgender man Self-identification as gay or bi-sexual Resident of greater New Haven area Willing and able to use Facebook during the span of the study Exclusion Criteria: • Women will not be included in the study Under the age of 18 and over the age of 29 Unable to provide informed consent Verbally or physically threatening to research staff

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 29 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: PrEP Messages<br>The peer leaders and the study staff will post PrEP related health messages | Behavioral: PrEP messages<br>* The peer leaders and the study staff will post PrEP related health messages<br>|
| Active Comparator: Health messages<br>The peer leaders and study staff will post general health messages that are not related to sexual health. | Behavioral: Heath messages<br>* The peer leaders and study staff will post general health messages that are not related to sexual health<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| PrEP uptake | Actual PrEP uptake: participants self report if they use prep (Yes/No) | PrEP uptake at baseline | 
| PrEP uptake | Actual PrEP uptake: participants self report if they use prep (Yes/No) | PrEP uptake (Yes/No) at 24-weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| HIV testing | Date of the last HIV test: participants self report the date of their last HIV test as a function of time in days. | baseline | 
| HIV testing | Date of the last HIV test: participants self report the date of their last HIV test as a function of time in days. | 24-weeks | 
| PrEP use intention | Willingness to use/likelihood of using PrEP in the next 6 months : self reported assessment to measure participants' willingness to use prep in the next 6 month s on a single question using Likert scale from 1(very unlikely) to 7 (very likely) | PrEP use intention at baseline | 
| PrEP use intention | Willingness to use/likelihood of using PrEP in the next 6 months : self reported assessment to measure participants' willingness to use prep in the next 6 month s on a single question using Likert scale from 1(very unlikely) to 7 (very likely) | PrEP use intention at 24-weeks | 
| PrEP knowledge | Knowledge of PrEP for HIV prevention: self reported assessment to measure participants' knowledge on PrEP on a set of True or False questions | PrEP knowledge at baseline | 
| PrEP knowledge | Knowledge of PrEP for HIV prevention: self reported assessment to measure participants' knowledge on PrEP on a set of True or False questions | PrEP knowledge at 24-weeks | 
| self efficacy to use PrEP | Beliefs in his/her ability of using PrEP: participants self report their level of confidence in taking PrEP on a set of items using Likert scales from 1 (Not at all confident) to 5 (completely confident) | self efficacy to use PrEP at baseline | 
| self efficacy to use PrEP | Beliefs in his/her ability of using PrEP: participants self report their level of confidence in taking PrEP on a set of items using Likert scales from 1 (Not at all confident) to 5 (completely confident) | self efficacy to use PrEP at 24-weeks | 
| motivation to use PrEP | How motivated s/he is to use PrEP and what motivates s/he to use PrEP: self reported assessment to measure participants' different types of motivation to use PrEP on a set of items using Likert scales from 1(strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) | motivation to use PrEP at baseline | 
| motivation to use PrEP | How motivated s/he is to use PrEP and what motivates s/he to use PrEP: self reported assessment to measure participants' different types of motivation to use PrEP on a set of items using Likert scales from 1(strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) | motivation to use PrEP at 24-weeks | 
| PrEP stigma | Perceived stigma related to PrEP use: self reported assessment to measure perception of stigma related to PrEP use on a set of items using Likert scales from 1(strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) | PrEP stigma at baseline | 
| PrEP stigma | Perceived stigma related to PrEP use: self reported assessment to measure perception of stigma related to PrEP use on a set of items using Likert scales from 1(strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) | PrEP stigma at 24-weeks | 
| Social support for PrEP use | Help and support that individuals receive that can facilitate PrEP uptake: Perceived stigma related to PrEP use: self reported assessment to measure perception of social support related to PrEP use on a set of items using Likert scales from 1(strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) | Social support for PrEP use at baseline | 
| Social support for PrEP use | Help and support that individuals receive that can facilitate PrEP uptake: Perceived stigma related to PrEP use: self reported assessment to measure perception of social support related to PrEP use on a set of items using Likert scales from 1(strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) | Social support for PrEP use at 24-weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), social media intervention