MedPath

Efficacy Trial of Life Simulation Game to Routinize Adolescent HIV Testing

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Hiv
Interventions
Other: Mobile Game
Other: Mobile Application
Registration Number
NCT04917575
Lead Sponsor
George Washington University
Brief Summary

This study will aim to assess the acceptability, usability and efficacy of using state-of-the-art video game technology to increase HIV testing among adolescents and young adults (AYA) ages 13-24. AYA often lack awareness of their personal risk of contracting HIV and where to go for testing and care. This lack of awareness has contributed to poor uptake of HIV testing among AYA despite engagement in high risk behaviors. The goal of this project is to harness this strong motivation to play games to increase HIV testing. Previous games for behavior change have yielded early success for increasing target behaviors among their sample populations, yet research on increasing HIV testing among AYA through gaming has been limited. This intervention builds on prior formative work and is designed to offer AYA personally-tailored risk messages and supports their accessibility to HIV testing and prevention services through an innovative gaming approach that is sharable over social media with in-game rewards for sharing the game with peers. The specific aim of this study is to determine the efficacy of a life-simulation game in changing HIV testing, knowledge, and risk behaviors among AYA at risk for HIV.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
300
Inclusion Criteria
  • age 13-24
  • self-reported HIV negative or unknown status
  • self-reported ever sexually active
  • resident of the DC metropolitan region which includes the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia for at least the next 6 months
  • Is able to provide informed consent or assent
  • able to complete all study procedures in English
  • has own mobile phones and be willing to use them for the study.
Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Mobile GameMobile GameAn enhanced life-simulation prototype of a playable interactive game to increase HIV testing, risk assessment tool, and HIV and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) locators embedded within the game.
Mobile ApplicationMobile ApplicationA mobile application that will include basic information on HIV basics (e.g., routes of transmission, data on the epidemiology of HIV among youth), prevention information on HIV testing and PrEP, as well as a link to the HIV risk estimator, and HIV testing and PrEP locators.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
HIV testingprior 6 months

Self-reported HIV testing in the past 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
HIV locator usebaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

Number of linkage to HIV testing locator

Intent to test for HIVbaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

Intent to test will be assessed using a validated 6-point Likert scale

Frequency of game use1, 3, 6 months
Knowledge of PrEPbaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

Has participant heard of PrEP at specified time period

PrEP locator usebaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

Number of linkages to PrEP locator

Duration of game use1, 3, 6 months
HIV risk perception and behaviorsbaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

8-item scale and perceived likelihood of getting infected (0-100%)

HIV knowledgebaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

18-item scale

CDC risk estimator scoresbaseline, 1, 3, 6 months
PrEP screeningbaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

ever been screened for PrEP eligibility

PrEP use/uptakebaseline, 1, 3, 6 months

been prescribed/taken PrEP

Reasons for continued or discontinued use of game1, 3, 6 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

George Washington University Milken School of Public Health

🇺🇸

Washington, District of Columbia, United States

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