Mobile Messaging Intervention to Present New HIV Prevention Options for Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)

From baseline to 3-month post-test, participants in the intervention arm are granted access and instructed to interact regularly with the HealthMindr messaging platform. The HealthMindr messaging platform delivers messages relevant to both general audiences of sexually-active MSM, as well as messages relevant only to specific subgroups of HIV-positive men, and currently higher and lower risk HIV-negative men. Answers provided during the assessments determine which subset of messages are delivered to app users, with information such as HIV status, changes in self-reported risk behaviors, or other factors that influence the relevance of any given message. The HealthMindr application also offers free condoms, lube, and a HIV and STI testing kits.

Participants assigned to the waitlist-control arm will be given a welcome sheet orienting them to the study. The message they view will include the same resources links provided to the intervention arm. The information will cover the importance of testing, links to an online mapping tool about the HIV epidemic in the United States (AIDSVu) and resources to locate HIV testing services and prevention information in their area. No information recommending frequency of testing will be given in the welcome greeting.