Efficacy Trial of Life Simulation Game to Routinize Adolescent HIV Testing

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Hiv

• 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

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-05-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-06-04
• Study First Posted: 2021-06-08
• Study Start: 2021-06-24
• Primary Completion: 2024-10-31
• Study Completion: 2024-10-31
• Status Verified: 2025-08
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-08-12
• Last Update Posted: 2025-08-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• 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

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
HIV testing	prior 6 months	Self-reported HIV testing in the past 6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Intent to test for HIV	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	Intent to test will be assessed using a validated 6-point Likert scale
Frequency of game use	1, 3, 6 months
Knowledge of PrEP	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	Has participant heard of PrEP at specified time period
PrEP locator use	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	Number of linkages to PrEP locator
Duration of game use	1, 3, 6 months
HIV risk perception and behaviors	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	8-item scale and perceived likelihood of getting infected (0-100%)
HIV knowledge	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	18-item scale
CDC risk estimator scores	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months
PrEP screening	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	ever been screened for PrEP eligibility
PrEP use/uptake	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	been prescribed/taken PrEP
Reasons for continued or discontinued use of game	1, 3, 6 months
HIV locator use	baseline, 1, 3, 6 months	Number of linkage to HIV testing locator

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

George Washington University Milken School of Public Health; 🇺🇸 Washington, District of Columbia, United States