Clinical trial NCT02946164: Advancing HIV Prevention and Linkage to Care Among MSM With Gamification
Official title: Advancing HIV Prevention and Linkage to Care Among MSM With Gamification
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: NA
Conditions: HIV Infections
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Lead sponsor: University of California, Berkeley
Sponsor class: OTHER
Collaborators: name: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
name: University of California, Los Angeles
First posted: 2016-10-27
Enrollment: 166
Sex: MALE
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 26
Standard ages: ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: NON_RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: PREVENTION

Brief summary: This study is a pilot evaluation of 'Stick To It', a behavioral intervention based on the concept of gamification. The objective of the program is to encourage young men who have sex with men (MSM) to be regularly screened for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to adopt safer sexual behaviors, with the ultimate goal to decrease HIV and STI incidence. Gamification is the application of game elements, like points, badges, and rewards, to non-game settings.

Detailed description: The investigators will conduct a quasi-experimental pilot study of 'Stick To It', a prevention intervention that uses gamification principles and mechanics. The intervention includes an online timer that reminds men to get tested, online quizzes, and peer recruitment; these activities are awarded with points redeemable for chances at prizes at participating clinics. The intervention was designed based on findings from interviews with health staff and focus groups with young MSM, and with input from a gamification consultant. The primary hypothesis is that the intervention will increase repeat HIV/STI testing among young MSM. The intervention will be implemented at two STI clinics in Oakland and Los Angeles, California in 2-week intervals for six months. The investigators will review medical records of exposed and unexposed young MSM attending the same STI clinics to compare uptake of quarterly HIV testing and self-reported behavior after six months.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* 18-26 years of age
* male
* self-identify as gay / bisexual / queer
* willing and able to provide informed consent to join the Stick To It program
* resident in one of several zip code areas surrounding the clinic

Exclusion Criteria:

* Not a resident of one of included zip code areas

Primary outcomes:
measure: Repeat HIV Testing
timeFrame: 6 months
Secondary outcomes:
measure: HIV-related risk behavior
timeFrame: 6 months
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Los Angeles
country: United States
facility: AHF Hollywood Wellness Center
state: California
city: Oakland
country: United States
facility: AHF Wellness Center Oakland
state: California
Study officials:
affiliation: Assistant Adjunct Professor
name: Sandra I McCoy, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References:
citation: Mejia CM, Acland D, Buzdugan R, Grimball R, Natoli L, McGrath MR, Klausner JD, McCoy SI. An Intervention Using Gamification to Increase Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in California: Rationale and Design of Stick To It. JMIR Res Protoc. 2017 Jul 17;6(7):e140. doi: 10.2196/resprot.8064.